California Community Power Initiates Request For Information Regarding Developing Wind Energy Off California Coast
CC Power’s nine members will gain information and may explore offshore wind procurement following the RFI
Sacramento, Calif. – California Community Power (CC Power) has posted its Request for Information (RFI) on offshore wind, seeking information for projects targeted to be developed in the Humboldt and Morro Bay Wind Energy Areas, along with other possible offshore wind developments. This offshore wind RFI will inform Board recommendations regarding procurement, readiness, barriers, or other CC Power and Community Choice Aggregator (CCA) member actions for offshore wind.
The Humboldt and Morro Bay wind areas can provide high-quality wind energy that supports California’s grid reliability. CC Power could contract for such resources on behalf of its nine members, pending CC Power Board direction and related clean energy and economic analysis.
“Offshore wind energy can provide steady, valuable, and renewable energy to meet California’s clean energy needs, including during heat storms when the grid is taxed. This RFI fits with the goals of CC Power and RCEA,” said Matthew Marshall, Redwood Coast Energy Authority Executive Director and CC Power Board Member. “Gathering information and signaling interest in offshore wind is a prudent step for CC Power to gear up in exploring contracting for new offshore wind resources.”
CC Power represents nine CCAs, each governed by local and regional boards, overseeing the CCAs’ pursuit of clean energy resources, programs, and cost-competitive electrical service for local communities. The pursuit of 100% clean energy based on California law will require a portfolio of clean energy resources, including those that deliver clean energy at night and during extreme weather events. If contracted for development by CC Power, such resources will be included in each CCA’s resource plan, and CC Power will administer contracts to drive timely development and operations of new resources.
“This joint-action RFI will focus on California’s opportunity for floating offshore wind turbines, a technology gradually being deployed around the world,” said Alex J. Morris, General Manager of CC Power. “CC Power and its member CCAs have a track record of contracting for valuable renewable energy. This RFI helps us build formal recommendations on procurement for our Board and will inform strategies to address needs for port infrastructure and expanded electrical grid transmission, known barriers for offshore wind development in California.”
The ongoing RFI process, as well as member participation, have been discussed during noticed, public meetings of the CC Power board. Information is available at https://cacommunitypower.org/solicitations/.
About California Community Power
California Community Power is a Joint Powers Agency comprised of nine California Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs). The agency allows its member CCAs to combine their buying power to procure new, cost-effective clean energy and reliability resources to continue advancing local and state climate goals. California Community Power members represent 2.7 million customers across 112 municipalities spanning from Humboldt County to Santa Barbara County. Learn more at cacommunitypower.org.