Offshore Renewable Energy

Renewable energy technologies developed offshore California are poised to play an important role in the portfolio of solutions needed to meet the state’s climate, renewable, and clean energy goals.

Foundational Reports

AB 525 Reports: Offshore Renewable Energy

Photo of the WindFloat Atlantic project courtesy of Principle Power/Ocean Winds

The reports establish a framework for planning and developing floating offshore wind in federal waters off California’s coast.

AB 525 Reports: Offshore Renewable Energy

SB 605 Wave and Tidal Offshore Renewable Energy

This image depicts the first onshore wave energy project in the United States, installed at the Port of Los Angeles. This 100-kilowatt pilot project developed by Eco Wave Power consists of seven wave energy converters attached to an existing wharf to capture wave motion, which is then converted into electricity.

The reports evaluate the feasibility, costs, and benefits of developing wave and tidal energy in California.

SB 605 Wave and Tidal Offshore Renewable Energy

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Featured Programs

Offshore Wind Waterfront Facility Improvement Program

The program provides financial incentives to eligible in-state projects for planning and development of waterfront facilities for offshore wind.

Proposition 4 Offshore Wind Port Development Program

The program provides grants to build and improve public ports to support offshore wind generation.

Assembly Bill 3 California Offshore Wind Advancement Act

The reports assess California’s ability to support offshore development by evaluating seaport readiness, supply chain, and workforce requirements.

Offshore Renewable Energy Research and Development

Design engineers working

The CEC’s Electric Program Investment Charge Program, or EPIC, funds clean energy research and development projects. While floating offshore wind is not yet deployed in California, continued innovation can accelerate the market and deliver clean, affordable power to communities.

Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) Project Showcase

Latest Developments

In response to agreements entered into between the federal government and offshore wind developers to terminate offshore wind leases, the CEC and the California Department of Justice have taken the following actions:

  • May 4, 2026: The CEC served an administrative investigative subpoena to Golden State Wind seeking documents and information related to the company’s agreement with the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) to accept a payment in exchange for voluntarily abandoning its offshore wind lease. (Press release)
  • June 23, 2026: Attorney General Rob Bonta and CEC Chair David Hochschild issued a Notice of Intent to Sue alleging that DOI’s agreement with Golden State Wind violates the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA). (Press release)
  • June 19, 2026: The CEC served an administrative investigative subpoena to Invenergy seeking documents and information related to the company’s agreement with DOI to accept a payment in exchange for voluntarily abandoning its offshore wind lease.
  • July 16, 2026: Attorney General Bonta and Chair Hochschild issued a Notice of Intent to Sue alleging that DOI’s agreement with Invenergy violates OCSLA. (Press release)
  • August 11, 2026: The CEC served an administrative investigative subpoena to RWE seeking documents and information related to the company’s agreement with the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) to accept a payment in exchange for voluntarily abandoning its offshore wind lease.

Upcoming Events

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Renewable Energy

General Offshore Renewable Energy Docket

Contact

Offshore Renewable Energy Planning Unit,
Climate Initiatives Branch
Offshorewind@energy.ca.gov
Waveandtidalenergy@energy.ca.gov

Related Information

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Offshore Renewable Energy