Page 18: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (May 2019)

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MARKET: OFFSHORE WIND

Above: lla Weinstein, CEO, Castle Wind, a joint venture with EnBW North America.

Left:

The California offshore 90-m height wind map and wind resource potential estimates are provided. Areas with annual average wind speeds of 7 m/s and greater at 90-m height are generally considered to be suitable for offshore development. The National

Renewable Energy Laboratory has produced these estimates of the gross (not reduced by environmental or human use considerations) offshore wind potential ex- pressed in “installed capacity.” This is the potential megawatts (MW) of rated capacity that could be installed at offshore areas with mean annual wind speeds of 7 m/s and greater at a 90-m height, assuming 5 MW of installed capacity per square kilometer of water. The offshore wind potential tables PDF present the resource broken down by annual wind speed, water depth, and distance from shore.

Sources: Castle Wind & NREL foundation for offshore wind turbines, opment of a wind energy supply chain, that, after three years, is just now at the af? liated activities are under state and being readied for operation in Europe like in NY and Virginia, the spokesper- starting point. Romero concurred that even local jurisdictions.

in 2021. RCEA also selected Aker So- son said, “it’s too early in the process” to this is not a quick process, but he added Weinstein was asked about alignment lutions, the Norwegian company expert focus on that. that people in energy businesses know between regulatory timelines and private in oil and gas platforms. RCEA’s third The BOEM/Task Force work, of that BOEM has to work equitably and sector challenges regarding ? nancing, partner is EDPR, Portugal’s largest gen- course, is preparatory. In reality, all of transparently among all parties. He said project planning and a business plan. erator, distributor and electric supplier this background work positions BOEM that President Trump’s recent Executive “Of course, we’d like for the process to and the fourth largest operator of wind to of? cially start its prescribed wind en- Order on regulatory streamlining is caus- move as quickly as possible,” she said. energy based on net installed capacity in ergy evaluation process. BOEM’s next ing a fresh look at ways to work faster. “The sooner we can begin development the US. task is “area identi? cation,” likely taking Alla Weinstein is CEO of Castle Wind, and truly launch the offshore wind indus-

BOEM and CA Task Force of? cials about six months, then come decisions a joint venture with EnBW North Ameri- try, the sooner we can help contribute to were to update their activities since the about speci? c areas, taking another 18 ca. Recall it was Weinstein’s WEA lease California’s clean energy mix and begin

December Task Force meeting and the months. BOEM anticipates conducting request, in 2016, that started BOEM’s to bring costs down. Not to mention the close of the comment period, January 28, a lease sale in 2020. CA activities. Weinstein was asked for local and regional economic bene? ts for BOEM’s October Call. Site assessments and surveys and tech- her perspective on BOEM’s timeline and that these new projects will drive.” She

John Romero, a BOEM public affairs nical reviews, taking 6 – 7 years, would timeliness. would like to see an auction in early of? cer, said BOEM has reviewed 118 follow a lease sale. Project work could “We believe BOEM is moving as 2020, a date that lines up with BOEM’s public comments, which cover a range start after that. fast as they can, realizing that the cre- schedule.

of opinions about offshore wind: strong- Six or seven years, of course, is a long ation of an offshore wind industry in Still a lot of work ahead. But now ly supportive, supportive but cautionary, time for a business to have to keep the California requires signi? cant time and the focus starts to change: it’s no longer and, of course, some in opposition. faith among investors, employees and investment,” she said, noting the “un- whether there should be offshore Cali-

A CA Task Force spokesperson said suppliers that a good idea will – eventu- precedented number of agencies and fornia wind energy. Rather, it’s ? guring staff continues to work on “outreach, ally – come to fruition. stakeholders” involved. She pointed out the best ways to make it work. Re- data collection and working with state John Romero was asked whether his out that wind farms will be installed in member, things happen ? rst in Califor- and federal agencies.” Regarding devel- team senses impatience about a schedule federal waters, but interconnection and nia.

18 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • MAY 2019

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