The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) focused on offshore wind transmission on the West Coast. Supported by the Inflation Reduction Act, this RFI is part of a broader effort to address challenges and barriers in efficiently capturing clean, power from West Coast offshore wind resources.
The information gathered through the RFI and the convening series will be used to inform the West Coast Action Plan for Offshore Wind Transmission Development. This plan, expected to be published in early 2025, will include a set of recommendations for addressing near-, medium-, and long-term challenges in offshore wind transmission. These recommendations will cover technical planning, technology development, siting, policy, supporting initiatives, and partnerships to ensure the effective design and implementation of offshore wind transmission.
In addition to the RFI, the DOE and BOEM have been gathering input since January 2024 through a series of targeted meetings with Tribal Nations, federal and state agencies, cable and transmission providers, fisheries organisations, non-governmental organisations, developers, unions, utilities, and other stakeholders to discuss the most relevant aspects of transmission planning. For this initiative, the "West Coast" includes California, Oregon, and Washington. Hawai’i and Alaska are not included, as federal offshore wind efforts have not yet begun in those states.
