Approval and completion of the transmission plan process completes the first major step to building transmission updates for offshore wind in California.

Today, California Independent System Operator (CAISO) approved the 2023-2024 Transmission Plan that identifies and plans for key upgrades to California’s transmission system to deliver power from offshore wind turbines to California homes and businesses, signaling support for California’s burgeoning offshore wind industry.

“We applaud CAISO for thoughtfully integrating offshore wind energy into the 2023-2024 Transmission Plan, a significant step towards building California’s first offshore wind projects,” said Molly Croll, Pacific Offshore Wind Director, American Clean Power Association. “Offshore wind is a reliable and essential source of clean power for reducing the impacts of climate change and attaining 100% clean energy in California. We look forward to continuing work with CAISO and the state to advance transmission planning for offshore wind.”

The 2023-2024 CAISO Transmission Plan identifies a need to invest in 26 transmission infrastructure projects in California, including several projects on California’s North Coast that will upgrade grid capacity to integrate power from offshore wind turbines off the coast of Humboldt into the California grid.