On 11 November, the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners reinforced its commitment to California’s renewable energy goals by advancing Pier Wind, a proposed 1,618,742 square meters terminal at the Port of Long Beach designed for the assembly and deployment of floating offshore wind turbines.
With recent approvals, the Californian port aims to secure additional funding and the necessary authorizations for Pier Wind, positioning it to become the largest offshore wind assembly facility in the United States.
“Pier Wind will contribute to creating a reliable electric grid that will enhance air quality and energy resilience, reduce California’s reliance on fossil fuels and help power the Port’s ongoing transition to zero-emissions equipment and vehicles,” commented Mario Cordero, CEO at Port of Long Beach.
The Harbor Commission committed up to US$14 million in matching funds for a state grant application set for December, intended to cover design, environmental review, and community outreach for the Pier Wind project. Additionally, the Commission allocated US$6.5 million from the US Port’s capital budget to proceed with environmental assessments and project delivery activities while awaiting the grant decision.
Before voting, commissioners received an update on Pier Wind’s alignment with California’s clean-energy objectives and the details of the upcoming grant application to the California Energy Commission. A preliminary economic impact analysis projects that Pier Wind could generate US$8 billion in labor income, US$14.5 billion in economic output, and US$1.3 billion in state and local taxes by 2045.
Additionally, these approvals follow the recent passage of Proposition 4, also known as the Climate Bond, which allocates US$475 million for port infrastructure supporting offshore wind. According to California’s offshore wind strategic plan, assembly facilities like Pier Wind are crucial for the success of floating wind projects along the West Coast.
Earlier this year, the California Public Utilities Commission set a target of 7.6 gigawatts of offshore wind power by 2035. In September, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation enabling the Port of Long Beach to streamline Pier Wind’s design and development through alternative construction methods. The project’s layout was recently updated based on industry input as the design progresses.
Once operational, Pier Wind would support the staging, storage, and assembly of some of the world’s tallest offshore wind turbines, which could reach the height of the Eiffel Tower. These fully assembled turbines would then be transported by sea to wind lease areas located 20 to 30 miles offshore in Central and Northern California.
The US$4.7 billion project is undergoing a thorough environmental review with input from local, state, and federal agencies as well as the community. If approved, construction could start as early as 2027, with the first 809,371 square meters operational by 2031 and full completion by 2035.
