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Why is the North Coast being considered for offshore wind?

The North Coast’s offshore wind resources are world-class, both in their strength and consistency, such that offshore wind turbines located off of our coast could consistently produce an exceptional amount of energy. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) reports (1) that the entire California coast has an enormous 200 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind technical power potential, representing more than 250% (2) of the State’s current electricity capacity. That potential is concentrated along the North Coast because our ocean is windier than down south. The maps below show how windy different areas of the country and California coast are; the North Coast of California is one of the windiest areas in the country.

Map of annual average wind speed at 100 meters above surface level in the U.S.

Annual Average Wind Speed at 100 Meters Above Surface Level.

Source: NREL (3)

Map of California Offshore Wind Speed to 1100m Ocean Depth, with Humboldt WEA outlined.

California Offshore Wind Speed to 1100m Ocean Depth, with Humboldt WEA outlined.

Source: California Offshore Wind Energy Gateway (4)

Renewable energy production is often measured by its “capacity factor,” which is defined as the amount of electrical energy actually produced, compared to what could have been produced at continuous full power operation during the same time period. The consistent winds off of the shores of Humboldt are anticipated to have a relatively high capacity factor between 45% and 54% (5), while onshore wind in California has an average capacity factor of only 26%, and solar ranges from 10–25%. Given its proportionally larger capacity factor, offshore wind would provide consistent energy in an electrical grid powered by renewables rather than fossil fuels.

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In addition to our wind farms off our coast, the Port of Humboldt Bay is also being considered for a new offshore wind focused heavy lift marine terminal. Offshore wind turbines consist of many different components assembled together. The final step in this process is called "Staging and Integration" where all of the components are brought to the same place and the turbine is vertically assembled. The turbine is then towed, vertically, out to sea to be installed.  According to analyses by the State (6) and Federal (7) governments, Humboldt Bay is particularly well suited to staging and integration because there is no manmade obstruction at the mouth of Humboldt Bay. 

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Watch Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation & Conservation District Director Rob Holmlund discuss the reasoning behind siting an offshore wind project off the coast of Humboldt Bay and the creation of a new offshore wind heavy lift marine terminal in Humboldt Bay below (8):

References

  1. Optis, M., Rybchuk, A., Bodini, N., et al. (2020, October). 2020 Offshore Wind Resource Assessment for the California Pacific Outer Continental Shelf. National Renewable Energy Laboratory. www.nrel.gov/docs/fy21osti/77642.pdf

  2. U.S. Energy Information Administration. (2023, November 2). State Electricity Profiles: Table 1. 2022 Summary statistics (California). www.eia.gov/electricity/state/california/ 

  3. National Renewable Energy Laboratory. (2024). Wind Resource Maps and Data. www.nrel.gov/gis/wind-resource-maps.html

  4. Conservation Biology Institute. (2023). California Offshore Wind Energy Gateway. https://caoffshorewind.databasin.org/ 

  5. Ortega, C., Younes, A., Severy, M., et al. (2020). Resource and Load Compatibility Assessment of Wind Energy Offshore of Humboldt County, California. Energies 13(21): 5707. https://doi.org/10.3390/en13215707 

  6. California State Lands Commission. (2023, July 7). AB 525 Port Readiness Plan. https://slcprdwordpressstorage.blob.core.windows.net/wordpressdata/2023/07/AB525-Port-Readiness-Plan_acc.pdf​

  7. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. (2023, January) California Floating Offshore Wind Regional Ports Assessment https://www.boem.gov/sites/default/files/documents/renewable-energy/studies/BOEM-2023-010.pdf

  8. Humboldt Bay Harbor District. (2023, May 13). Intro to Offshore Wind_ Why, Who, How, Where, & When (long version) [Video]. YouTube. www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTn8AxEkdXw

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