A new industry is setting sail from the Central Coast.
Offshore wind energy is making its West Coast debut off the coast of Morro Bay and marking the U.S. launch of floating turbine technology.
Latest news
- Study identifies options to advance Central Coast offshore wind industry with infrastructure enhancements
- 25 regional leaders sign on to joint letter to the lease winners expressing the community’s interest in partnering to responsibly advance offshore wind on the Central Coast
- 2 days, 31 rounds, $757m: Biden-Harris Administration announces winners of California offshore wind energy auction
- REACH addresses offshore wind’s economic impact at Congressional field hearing

MEET THE DEVELOPERS

Equinor
A Norwegian multinational that owns and operates the world’s first floating wind farm, the 30 MW Hywind Scotland, Equinor is also developing two large wind farms offshore New York and Massachusetts, Empire Wind and Beacon Wind.
REACH and several partners are working to position the region as the nation’s launching pad for commercial-scale floating offshore wind.
This spans planning for infrastructure, workforce and other industry needs and ensuring the Central Coast reaches its economic goals while helping the state and nation meet clean energy goals.
Infrastructure planning
The Central Coast has an array of opportunities to enhance its waterfront infrastructure to support the growth of the offshore wind industry, as outlined in a REACH report conducted in partnership with San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County and the City of Morro Bay.

Offshore wind's economic impact
A study commissioned by REACH found that the 376-square-mile wind energy area off the coast of Morro Bay could generate significant near- and long-term economic benefits on the Central Coast, as shown in this chart.
With the corresponding onshore infrastructure, a 3 gigawatt wind farm could generate 650 long-term jobs and an annual economic impact of $262 million, in addition to shorter-term benefits.
$262M
annual economic impact
650
long-term jobs
2411
5-year construction jobs
$2B
construction economic impact