Deepwater Wind, an America-based offshore wind and transmission developer, plans to develop the West Coast’s first-ever offshore wind farm “WindFloat Pacific project” – a project poised to become the world’s first commercial project to use cutting-edge floating foundation technology.
Deepwater Wind entered into an agreement several months ago with Principle Power to complete the development of the 30WM, 5-turbine WindFloat Pacific project, using Principle Power’s groundbreaking WindFloat technology. This agreement demonstrates Deepwater Wind’s success in building a portfolio of offshore wind projects across multiple technologies and geographic areas. The agreement also extends Deepwater Wind’s expertise to the West Coast and to floating foundation technology.
“The WindFloat Pacific project is an exciting opportunity to bring offshore wind energy to the U.S. West Coast and to expand Deepwater’s Wind’s growing portfolio of clean energy projects,” said Deepwater Wind CEO Jeffrey Grybowski. “We’re proud to be at the forefront of the American offshore wind industry, leading trail-blazing projects like Deepwater ONE, the Block Island Wind Farm – and now WindFloat Pacific – that have the power to revolutionize renewable energy in America for decades to come.”
The announcement comes as the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) awarded the WindFloat Pacific project up to $47 million in matching grants to support the project’s engineering, permitting and public outreach efforts. The WindFloat Pacific project was one of three projects selected for continued DOE funding, from an original group of seven projects in the DOE’s Advanced Technology Offshore Wind Demonstration Project Program. (SEE: US’s Energy Department Announces Three Innovative Offshore Wind Energy Projects)
The partnership with Principle Power also helps Deepwater Wind to develop floating foundation, a cutting-edge technology, for the offshore wind industry. Successfully operating a full-scale WindFloat prototype off the coast of Portugal since 2011, Principle Power is believed to be able to deliver the 9GW-hours of wind energy to the local grid, helping the WindFlat Pacific project to achieve its goal.
Floating foundation technologies are a perfect match for deep ocean waters and strong wind resource areas on the West Coast. WindFloat Pacific will demonstrate that offshore wind energy can be an important part of the West Coast’s long-term clean energy plans,” said Grybowski.