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Zach Warnow, Director of Communications, Point Blue Conservation Science
zwarnow@pointblue.org
415-786-5285
Petaluma, CA - Point Blue, a leader in environmental research and conservation, has released a new analysis aimed at guiding the sustainable development of offshore wind energy off the coast of California. The analysis identified sites offshore from Mendocino, Humboldt, and Santa Barbara counties as having high wind energy potential and with lower potential environmental impacts. The project represents a significant step forward in understanding how to balance renewable energy goals with the need to minimize impact to the marine environment and the communities that depend on it.
This report is released at a crucial time, with the California Energy Commission (CEC) soon to conclude the public comment period for the Offshore Wind Strategic Plan, pursuant to Assembly Bill 525. This plan is aimed at reaching Governor Newsom's proposed target of 25 GW by 2045.
The comprehensive analysis, spearheaded by Point Blue's team of experts, utilized updated spatial data to assess the potential impacts of offshore wind energy development on marine environment, and human uses of the ocean. The model inputs included 180 datasets of marine birds, mammals and turtles, fish, habitats, and human uses. In addition to these datasets, Point Blue received 191 responses from expert surveys to quantify sensitivity to offshore wind impacts for all species.
By combining data on species abundance, habitats, and human activities with expert-derived information on sensitivity to negative impacts, the analysis identifies areas that maximize energy generation potential while preserving ocean ecosystems and existing uses.
"Our goal is to provide decision-makers with the information they need to make informed choices about offshore wind energy development," says Dr. Jaime Jahncke, Director of the California Current Group at Point Blue. "We want to help California meet its renewable energy targets while minimizing harm to wildlife and habitats."
Key findings from the analysis include the identification of priority wind energy installation areas off Punta Gorda (Humboldt County), Point Arena (Mendocino County), and Point Conception (Santa Barbara County). These areas, selected based on rigorous modeling and optimization analyses, offer high energy production potential while minimizing impacts on species and habitats.
“One of the things that surprised us the most about the results was that there are some clear areas that have a good mix of high energy generation benefit and lower marine impacts. The big challenge will be making development there technically and economically feasible and ensuring conflicts with emerging uses like new shipping fairways are addressed,” said Cotton Rockwood, a Senior Marine Ecologist who led much of the analysis in the report.
The analysis also examined individual sea space regions identified in California’s AB525, which guides the California Energy Commission in the development of offshore wind resources. Within the priority areas identified in that legislation, the analysis identified AB525 Mendocino Area_1 sea space region as the highest priority area for the next phases of wind development offshore of California. In addition, portions of the Mendocino Area_2, and both Humboldt Area sea space regions should be considered high-priority for development plans to meet the AB525 2045 goals. These areas comprise waters with high energy production, balanced and minimized combined impacts to species, habitats and existing human uses and reasonable access to grid interconnection.
The analysis is intended to inform the roll-out of offshore wind in California that will occur in the coming decades, so it intentionally omits some current limits on the technical capacity for floating wind installation, like a maximum current depth of 1300m. That is because floating wind infrastructure is evolving rapidly and installation may well be possible in deeper waters well before future lease areas are developed. This means that important planning and investment decisions will determine whether deeper-water development can be achieved along with the lower impacts and greater benefits those areas accrue.
Funding for the report was provided by the Ocean Protection Council with additional support from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and The David and Lucile Packard Foundation.
To read the full report, visit: https://www.pointblue.org/tools-and-guidance/research/updated-report-offshore-wind-energy-areas/
About Point Blue: Point Blue Conservation Science is a leading environmental research and conservation organization. Since 1965, Point Blue has been advancing conservation through science, partnerships, and outreach. Our highest priority is to reduce the impacts of accelerating changes in climate, land-use, and the sea while promoting climate-smart conservation for wildlife and people. For more information, visit www.PointBlue.org.