California leaders, industry representatives, and clean-energy stakeholders gathered at the 2026 Pacific Offshore Wind Summit in Long Beach to reaffirm the state’s commitment to offshore wind development, emphasizing its role in energy security, job creation, and the transition to a clean-power economy.

The summit, hosted by Offshore Wind California (OWC) — a trade group representing developers and technology firms in the sector — highlighted California’s ongoing strategy to advance floating offshore wind projects despite what participants described as federal efforts to obstruct progress.

Speakers repeatedly stressed that the state must continue investing in port infrastructure, transmission capacity, permitting frameworks, workforce training, and supply chain development to ensure readiness for large-scale deployment.

State advances port and infrastructure investment

A key focus of the discussion was California’s recent policy and funding momentum. In 2025, state lawmakers approved a $228 million initial allocation from a $475 million voter-approved fund under Proposition 4, designed to upgrade port infrastructure for offshore wind deployment.

In parallel, the California Energy Commission (CEC) advanced its AB 525 strategic plan through an AB 3 scoping process aimed at improving port readiness. The commission also awarded $42.75 million to upgrade waterfront facilities at the Ports of Humboldt, Long Beach, Oakland, Richmond, and San Luis.

California’s offshore wind development zone was secured in the 2022 federal lease auction for Pacific waters, located 20–30 miles offshore. The auction generated $757 million in bids from developers and supports an initial projected buildout of 7–10 gigawatts (GW).

Energy Commission: “Offshore wind is bold, big, and important”

David Hochschild, Chair of the California Energy Commission, defended the state’s trajectory and investment strategy.

“Offshore wind is bold, it’s big, it’s important,” Hochschild said. “California is defending our investments in clean energy jobs and innovation.”

He emphasized that California, now the world’s fourth-largest economy, continues to position itself as a leader in clean-energy innovation and investment. Hochschild reaffirmed the state’s long-term target of 25 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2045, noting that the commission will continue deploying voter-approved Prop 4 funds toward port and infrastructure development.

Ports see offshore wind as national security issue

From the infrastructure side, Dr. Noel Hacegaba, CEO of the Port of Long Beach, framed offshore wind as both an energy and security priority.

“At a time of global energy volatility, offshore wind is not just a climate strategy. It is part of a national security strategy,” Hacegaba said. He added that existing grid infrastructure is insufficient for future energy demands.

“The grid we built for the last century cannot carry us through the next,” he said. “This is renewable energy's moment. And at the Port of Long Beach, we are not waiting. We are investing in building the Port of the Future.”

Legislative backing and legal resilience

Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur of the California State Assembly also reinforced political support for the sector.

“Offshore wind is essential to California’s clean-energy future,” Zbur said, noting that “federal courts have already rejected several attempts by the Administration to halt offshore wind projects.”

He highlighted offshore wind as a key tool for meeting climate targets while generating “thousands of good-paying union jobs.” Zbur also played a legislative role in shaping Proposition 4, which voters approved in 2024, and authored AB 3 on port readiness for offshore wind.

Industry: California must “stay the course”

From the industry perspective, Adam Stern, Executive Director of Offshore Wind California, called for continued alignment between policy, infrastructure, and developers.

“California is staying the course on offshore wind — which is vital to our energy security, jobs, and clean-power future,” Stern said. “As an industry, we’re focused on what’s advancing offshore wind in California.”

He added that once the state is ready to deploy turbines at scale, developers expect all necessary elements — including supply chains and port capacity — to be in place.

Strong public support and global positioning

Public opinion continues to strongly favor offshore wind in California. A March 2026 Tarrance Group survey for Turn Forward found 76% support among Californians. A July 2025 PPIC poll showed similar results at 75%, including 88% support among Democrats and 61% among Republicans.

California is also positioning itself as a global hub for floating offshore wind technology. The state has joined the Global Offshore Wind Alliance and signed cooperation agreements with Norway, Scotland, Denmark, Japan, the United Kingdom, and China.

According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, California has an estimated 200 GW of offshore wind potential. Existing leases in Morro Bay, Humboldt, and other North Coast waters could support more than 25 GW of capacity.

Because of deep-water conditions along the West Coast, most projects will rely on floating turbine technology already deployed in international markets.

Economic and energy outlook

State and industry reports suggest that a 25 GW offshore wind buildout could supply 10–15% of California’s new clean electricity needs, create thousands of jobs, and deliver enough power for up to 25 million homes. Proponents also argue that scaling deployment would reduce costs through economies of scale while improving grid reliability and affordability.

Offshore Wind California’s membership includes firms such as AKRF, Burns & McDonnell, Crowley Wind Services, CSA, Davis Wright Tremaine, DeTect, Environmental Defense Fund, Humboldt Bay Harbor, Latham & Watkins, MCE, Orrick, Pacific Ocean Energy Trust, PG&E, Port of Long Beach, The Pasha Group, Vineyard Wind, and WestWard.

As the summit concluded, speakers returned repeatedly to a central message: California’s offshore wind future is not just a climate ambition, but a long-term economic and energy strategy — one the state intends to pursue regardless of political uncertainty at the federal level.