Equinor plans 2GW offshore wind farm in California lease area
Equinor plans 2GW offshore wind farm in California lease area | Windpower Monthly
Equinor has unveiled plans for Atlas Wind, a 2GW floating offshore wind project off the central coast of California.
It is due to be built in a lease area 75km from Morro Bay, which the Norwegian energy giant won at auction last December.
Marine and aerial wildlife surveying in the lease area will begin in 2024. California has a nation-leading target of 25GW of offshore wind capacity by 2045.
“Atlas is a symbol of strength and fortitude, and most importantly perseverance, as we bring tested, world-class technology to California’s central coast,” said Molly Morris, president of Equinor Renewables Americas.
Approximately two-thirds of the US’s offshore wind potential lies in deep coastal waters, like the Pacific Ocean, where deeper waters necessitate the use of floating platforms.
Equinor has experience in floating offshore wind development and operation as it developed the world’s first floating offshore wind farm – Hywind Scotland – and the world’s largest floating offshore wind farm – Hywind Tampen – in the Norwegian North Sea.
Related Knowledge Center: ENERGY BASICS: wind
Decades of government support for the development of wind energy has resulted in lower costs and a rapidly growing share of electricity generated by wind turbines. Wind in 2019 accounted for 7.3 percent of electrical generation, surpassing for the first time hydropower at 7.0 percent.