WEST COAST WIND ENERGY ON THE RISE

The California Energy Commission (CEC) has partnered with Humboldt Bay Harbor Recreation and Conservation District, and aims to invest over $10m to support offshore wind activities in the area. Michael Adetona, principal consultant of AS Acquisitions, speculates that the investment is critical for opening the opportunity for offshore wind development in California.
CEC commissioner Kourtney Vaccaro said: “I'm excited by the opportunity to partner with the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation, and Conservation District in their pursuit of revitalizing their port to support the necessary infrastructure for deploying ocean based clean energy resources that will benefit Californians.Offshore wind is an important part of the state’s clean electricity future, providing critical supply at night to complement our abundant solar resources.”
The funding was approved as part of the 2021-22 state budget, and will include completing preliminary engineering and design work, conducting site surveys and special studies, assessments on the impact on the environment, necessary environmental mitigation measures and early construction. Part of the funding can also attract matching funds from Federal grants that will aid in the construction of the project.
CEC added that Humboldt Bay Offshore Wind Heavy Lift Marine Terminal will be capable of handling large heavy cargo vessels, offshore wind floating platform development and integration and decommissioning, and other maritime activities.
The project is expected to produce up to 1.6GW of offshore wind in the Humboldt call area, enough electricity to power up to 1.6 million California homes. AS Acquisitions is confident that it will not only strengthen the waterfront industry of the area, but offer numerous living wage jobs to its residents. Indeed, surveys have shown that the investment could potentially generate approximately 830 job openings, and $130 million in industry output over 5 years.
Harbor District board president Greg Dale said: “Humboldt Bay has the optimal conditions to serve as the primary port for the offshore wind industry for the entire West Coast.We are fully dedicated to prepare our port for this remarkable opportunity and we are honored to be working with the California Energy Commission to launch California into the future of energy production.”