The Port of Long Beach has unveiled plans for an ambitious offshore wind facility project aimed at helping the country in its green objectives in the coming years.
The Pier Wind project is designed to support the manufacturing and assembly of offshore wind turbines that can reach heights comparable to the Eiffel Tower.
It is set to become the largest facility of its kind at any US seaport, specifically designed to accommodate the assembly process of offshore wind turbines.
Port of Long Beach Executive Director, Mario Cordero, highlighted the potential of Pier Wind.
“Imagine fully assembled wind turbines capable of generating 20 megawatts of energy being towed by sea from the Port of Long Beach to offshore wind farms in Central and Northern California,” he said.
“Our harbour’s ideal location, with calm seas behind a federal breakwater, deep and wide channels, direct access to the open ocean, and no air height restrictions, makes it possible to achieve the economies of scale required to reduce the cost of energy for these massive turbines.”
READ: NYK taps into offshore wind power industry with new CTV vessel
Long Beach Harbor Commission President, Sharon L. Weissman, added that: “Building Pier Wind lays the foundation for a zero-carbon energy future, not only for the public but for our operations as well.
“Offshore wind is essential to the Port of Long Beach’s transition, and ensuring a reliable and renewable power supply is vital for our work in commerce.”
This project serves multiple purposes for California, including the generation of renewable energy from deep-water wind resources, the reduction of reliance on fossil fuels to improve air quality, and the fulfillment of the state’s goal to produce 25 gigawatts of offshore wind power by 2045.
Additionally, it aims to contribute to a 70 per cent reduction in the national cost of offshore wind power by 2035.
READ: Port of Long Beach extends $1.5 billion Pier B rail design contract
Spanning up to 400 acres of newly constructed land southwest of the Long Beach International Gateway Bridge, within the Harbor District, the Pier Wind facility will require an investment of $4.7 billion.
The Port has released a concept study, available for review, which provides information to facilitate planning and discussions with state and federal officials, developers, and funders.
Construction of Pier Wind is projected to commence in January 2027, with the first 100 acres becoming operational in early 2031, the second 100 acres in late 2031, and the final 200 acres coming online in 2035.
According to official data, the port handled 603,878 TEU, a 30 per cent drop from March 2022, which was the busiest March on record.
