The California Energy Commission (CEC) has awarded $20 M to the Port of Long Beach for the development of Pier Wind, a proposed $4.7 B floating wind terminal that will play a central role in assembling and deploying offshore wind turbines along the US West Coast.
The funding, issued through the Offshore Wind Energy Waterfront Facility Improvement Program, will be matched by $11 M from the Port of Long Beach. The funds will cover engineering, environmental assessments, business planning, and community outreach needed to move the project toward construction.
“California’s offshore wind energy goals cannot be achieved without onshore development at port facilities like Pier Wind,” said Frank Colonna, Long Beach Harbor Commission President. “We are grateful for this state funding to make offshore wind a part of California’s energy portfolio.”
Pier Wind aims to help California meet its target of 25 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2045, supporting thousands of clean energy jobs nationwide. The project is part of the state’s broader strategy under Proposition 4, the 2024 climate bond measure allocating $475 M for port infrastructure linked to offshore wind.
The 160-ha (400-acre) terminal will undergo environmental review before construction begins in 2027. The first 80 ha (200 acres) are expected to be completed by 2031, with full completion by 2035.
The project aligns with California’s Offshore Wind Strategic Plan, authorised under Assembly Bill 525, which prioritises port development as a key enabler of offshore wind deployment.
Source: Offshore Wind Biz
