The Port of Long Beach aims to become a hub for offshore wind turbines on the Central Coast.

Floating offshore wind turbines are being planned for the waters near Morro Bay and Humboldt County, but many specifics are still being ironed out. One key concern is whether a new port on the Central Coast would be required for construction, operation, and maintenance

However, such a facility may not end up on the Central Coast at all. The Port of Long Beach is proposing a new 400-acre Pier Wind complex, where turbines will be constructed and installed before being delivered up the coast to San Luis Obispo and Humboldt Counties.

According to Executive Director Mario Cordero, their harbour is excellent for such a project. He claims that their breakwater keeps the seas calm, that the waterway is one of the deepest and largest in the country, and that there are no air height limits.

"We're talking about turbines that tower over a thousand feet — 200 feet higher than the Eiffel Tower." "These turbines are massive," he explained.

Cordero feels Pier Wind is the finest option for launching California's offshore wind projects and assisting the state in meeting its ambitious renewable energy goals.

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"I do believe that the Port of Long Beach is a beneficial option, a realistic option in terms of the statewide benefit," he stated.

Offshore wind has caused debate in SLO County. While most local MPs support the proposal, certain fishing sector stakeholders, labour unions, and other groups are concerned that it may harm their livelihoods and the marine environment. The idea of a new port on the Central Coast is a major source of anxiety, as it would entail significant construction and ship traffic.

Last year, the Central Coast's Regional Economic Action Coalition (REACH) released a report that looked at which locations of the Central Coast could potentially house such a facility. It suggested Port San Luis, Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, and Morro Bay as potential sites, but stressed that further research is needed to determine whether any of those sites are truly viable.

REACH's Vice President of Policy and Economic Development, Joshua Boswell, stated that it will be up to Central Coast residents and policymakers to select the optimum location for any new offshore wind infrastructure to accommodate local concerns while maximising economic value.

"We started out a couple of years ago looking at some of the economic impacts, potential jobs, and impacts of offshore wind, and recognising that most of those benefits are tied to the infrastructure associated with offshore wind," he explained.

Boswell acknowledged that the location of a new port or equivalent facility would be competitive, as it would bring in significant economic activity wherever it ends up. However, even if it ends up somewhere else in California, such as Long Beach, he believes the Central Coast will profit from being a part of the statewide infrastructure network required for offshore wind.

"It's definitely not an either/or situation in our minds," he explained. "I believe there is a broader recognition across the state and industry that we need a port network." And, once again, the Central Coast is attempting to define what that particular network looks like."

Whatever happens, Boswell hopes that state and federal investments in offshore wind are spread equally across the state

"Because these are both rural areas that haven't received the lion's share of state and federal investments in the past, the Central Coast and Humboldt in particular have really unique roles to play." So I believe there is a really unique chance to ensure that state and federal investments are focused in a way that lifts all regions up," he said.

To get Pier Wind approved, the Port of Long Beach would have to go through environmental evaluations and other processes, which they hope the state can speed. Port authorities predict that if permitted, Pier Wind could begin construction in 2027 and be operational in 2031.