California has ambitious clean energy targets of using 100% zero-emission electricity sources by 2045 and reducing “GHG emissions by 40% from 1990 levels by 2030.” According to a report by the California Energy Commission, renewable energy production will have to increase two to six times to meet these targets, and offshore wind is a prime industry for further development due to the state’s powerful and consistent wind stream and recent technological advances reducing costs, particularly for floating turbines. On May 25th, 2021, the Newsom and Biden administrations unveiled plans to promote offshore wind development in California; it included $20 million in state funds to support “upgrades at the Port of Humboldt, expedited regulatory review, environmental studies, and community outreach,” and a federal deal with the Department of Defense identifying two sites off the coast of Morro Bay and Humboldt for offshore wind development.
This paper provides a summary of information about the offshore wind power generation industry and the workforce needs and training programs.