Redwood Coast Energy Authority selects consortium to build wind farm
The Redwood Coast Energy Authority (RCEA) has selected a consortium of companies to develop a wind energy project off the Northern California coast.
The consortium is comprised of Principle Power, EDP Renewables Offshore North America, Aker Solutions, H. T. Harvey & Associates, and Herrera Environmental Consultants. The consortium will enter into a public-private partnership with RCEA to build the wind farm.
“We have been very impressed and humbled by the respondents and the quality of the responses we received for this RFQ. Large development companies and energy players based in Europe and the US responded to the RFQ which helps confirm the attractiveness of Humboldt County as the potential starting point for an entire new industry,” Matthew Marshall, executive director of the RCEA.
Joao Metelo, president and CEO of Principle Power, said this project could be a game changer.
“The establishment of a public private partnership with a community-based energy provider like RCEA represents a unique opportunity to develop a project with strong foundations from the get-go, and to build a comprehensive launching pad for a successful industry in the West Coast,” Metelo said.
The 100-150 megawatts floating offshore wind farm will be located 20 miles off the coast of Eureka. The area has average wind speeds of more than ten meters per second.
“This project is strategic in the long-run and attractive to us due to its potential to spur large market development in California,” João Manso Neto, EDP Renewables CEO, said. “EDP Renewables is confident in the viability of the offshore wind market and looks forward to continuing development on this project with the ultimate goal of further increasing our operational presence in the United States.”
RCEA and the consortium are expected to finalize an agreement in the coming weeks. The goal is to submit a lease application later this spring.
“We are excited to be part of this first commercial scale project for floating offshore wind in the United States. Combining our capabilities with Principle Power’s technology can help mature the local supply chain, potentially generating industry growth in Humboldt County and the state of California,” Jonah Margulis, vice president and U.S. country manager at Aker Solutions, said.
The project will create local jobs and workforce training and position Humboldt County as a leading hub for future offshore wind development throughout the West Coast.