In a significant stride towards bolstering California's renewable energy portfolio, the state's inaugural offshore wind venture, CADEMO, has sealed a pivotal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with California Community Power (CC Power). This landmark agreement sets the stage for the advancement of the 50MW project, poised to be a pioneering force in the region's renewable energy landscape.
Strategically positioned off the coast of Vandenberg Space Force Base, in close proximity to Lompoc, the CADEMO demonstration project is slated to become operational by 2028, a noteworthy feat positioning it ahead of other offshore wind initiatives along the Californian coast.
With an envisioned installation of four turbines, the project is anticipated to yield approximately 200 GWh/year of zero-emission renewable energy, marking a significant stride towards California's ambitious sustainability goals.
Underlining a commitment to inclusivity and community engagement, CADEMO has diligently fostered relationships with local tribes, labor unions, and workforce development agencies, setting a precedent for responsible and collaborative project development.
In elucidating the essence of the MoU, Alex Morris, General Manager of CC Power, expressed, “This MOU marks an important step in CC Power's efforts to support the rational development of floating offshore wind in California… The CADEMO project serves as a useful test case for how to build offshore wind projects on the West Coast.”
Echoing this sentiment, Mikael Jakobsson, Director of CADEMO, emphasized, “The CADEMO project will provide this information roughly five years ahead of any larger-scale offshore wind development… [It] will help offshore wind gain greater public acceptance and will resolve many practical challenges to help launch our sector and create new California jobs.”
