As the hysteria continues over climate change and the supposed need for green energy, some blue states are taking unprecedented actions to modify their energy mix. California recently approved a plan that seeks to create a “massive” offshore wind farm that would feature massive turbines, some as tall as 70 stories. The plan would require a significant investment in the state’s coastal infrastructure.
According to CalMatters.org, the California Energy Commission unanimously voted to approve the plan requiring billions in investment. “The California Energy Commission today unanimously approved a sweeping plan to develop a massive floating offshore wind industry in ocean waters — a first-of-its-kind undertaking that will require billions in public and private investments and could transform parts of the coast,” the website said.
The proposed offshore wind farm would float approximately 20 miles off Humboldt Bay and Morro Bay in Northern California. Furthermore, the plan would play an integral part in the Golden State’s ambitions to phase out fossil fuel usage from its energy mix, seeking alternative forms of “clean energy” to fuel the electric vehicle revolution.
“The new state plan sets the path for harnessing wind power from hundreds of giant turbines, each as tall as a 70-story building, floating in the ocean about 20 miles off Humboldt Bay and Morro Bay. The untapped energy is expected to become a major power source as California electrifies vehicles and switches to clean energy,” the statement added.
However, it was acknowledged that there are challenges to pursuing the green energy endeavor, as it would have to start from “scratch” since there are insufficient industrial resources for such a project. The offshore wind farm would require a new manufacturing base, supply chains, and transportation networks, among other capabilities.
The statement continued, “The offshore wind industry must be created almost from scratch: a new manufacturing base for the still-evolving technology; a robust and reliable supply chain; transportation networks on land and sea; specially configured ports to make, assemble and maintain the gargantuan seagoing platforms; finding and training a highly specialized workforce; building a large transmission network where none exists and beefing up those that operate now.”
While Democrats and green energy activists have touted such offshore wind projects, recent headlines suggest the projects aren’t always a viable user of resources. Earlier this year, The American Tribune reported on two planned offshore wind farms in Maryland that completely fell apart amid challenging economic conditions.
Energy developer Orsted and he Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) had previously agreed to the offshore wind project, but were forced to scrap the idea. “Today’s announcement affirms our commitment to developing value creating projects and represents an opportunity to reposition Skipjack Wind, located in a strategically valuable federal lease area and with a state that is highly supportive of offshore wind, for future offtake opportunities,” said Orsted’s group executive vice president and CEO of its Americas division, David Hardy. “As we explore the best path forward for Skipjack Wind, we anticipate several opportunities and will evaluate each as it becomes available,” he added.
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