On August 10, 2022, the California Energy Commission (CEC) voted to adopt offshore wind energy preliminary planning targets of 2,000 MW to 5,000 MW by 2030 and 25,000 MW by 2045.[1] The upper end of the 2030 target range could come from a full build-out of Morro Bay Wind Energy Area (WEA) or a combination of a partial build-out of the Morro Bay WEA and Humboldt WEA. CEC staff proposed the goals in response to Assembly Bill 525, which was signed into law in September 2021 and required the CEC to develop planning goals and a strategic plan for offshore wind energy deployment in the state. The planning goals are an increase over the initial proposed goal of 10,000 MW to 15,000 MW goal by 2045. The increase follows a letter from Governor Newsom (D) urging regulators to establish a goal of at least 20 GW of offshore wind by 2045.[2] The new goal is the largest in the U.S. and exceeds New York’s plan to install 9,000 MW of offshore wind by 2035, previously the largest long-term target. CEC staff noted that the preliminary planning goals were designed to be potentially achievable but aspirational.

[1] https://www.energy.ca.gov/filebrowser/download/4361

[2] https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/07.22.2022-Governors-Letter-to-CARB.pdf?emrc=1054d6