What is the Pacific Offshore Wind Summit?

The Pacific Offshore Wind Summit is the premier annual event for advancing offshore wind energy in California. It brings together industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to collaborate on strategies for positioning California as a global leader in floating wind development. The Summit focuses on knowledge-sharing, strategic planning, and fostering partnerships with state and federal lawmakers to drive innovation, create jobs, and establish expertise in the Pacific Rim and beyond.

Highlights from the 2024 Summit

This past year, we held our Fourth Annual Pacific Offshore Wind Summit in Sacramento on May 13-15, 2024. That event brought together more than 700 state and federal officials, industry leaders, and other stakeholders and helped mobilize support and build momentum for California to meet its ambitious planning goals to generate up to 5 gigawatts (GW) from offshore wind by 2030 and a nation-leading 25 GW by 2045.

We are thrilled to bring the Summit back to Sacramento for another year in 2025. With all the news and changes over the past months, there is no better time and no other offshore wind event that offers as much access and dialogue with California state and federal officials, industry leaders, and other stakeholders under one roof.

Recent Milestones and Legislative Progress

Since our last gathering, California offshore wind has continued to make important strides on the essential next steps to bring this important clean-energy resource online (see our new Fact Sheet). Most notable were the California Energy Commission's (CEC) adoption of the final AB 525 strategic plan, the decision by the California Public Utilities Commission to set an interim target of 7.6 GW by 2035-37 to procure offshore wind at scale, and the landmark approval by California voters of Proposition 4, the $10 billion climate bond that includes $475 million to upgrade ports for floating offshore wind. This past Spring, the California Independent System Operator also approved its 2023-24 Transmission Plan including $4.6 billion in transmission upgrades for offshore wind on the state's North Coast.

California offshore wind is on a roll. The November election is bringing 30 new legislators to Sacramento and a new Administration to Washington, and we look forward to working closing with all of them to continue advancing offshore wind to strengthen our grid reliability, energy independence, and create new jobs and growth. California is well-positioned and remains on course with its commitment to make this remarkable renewable-energy resource a key part of its growing clean-power portfolio.

What to expect in 2025

At the 2025 Summit, we'll focus on the next set of vital actions California must take to implement the new AB 525 strategic plan and its goals for up to 5 GW of floating offshore wind by 2030 and 25 GW by 2045. These include:

• Investments in port upgrades and transmission
• Procuring at scale
• Following a clear permitting roadmap
• Engaging key stakeholders to protect our cultural and marine resources
• Establishing a robust supply chain and workforce training
• Identifying suitable sea space to reach 25 GW.

At the Summit, we'll also examine how California can work with state and federal lawmakers to be a global leader and hub for floating wind development, jobs, and expertise - in the Pacific Rim and beyond.

We're excited to have you join us May 19-21, 2025 at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center, where you'll be able to meet industry leaders, developers, policymakers, government representatives, and consultants, and hear about the latest updates from those who are advancing offshore wind and shaping California's clean-energy future. We look forward to seeing you again in Sacramento!