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 2025 Summit

This past year, we held our Fifth Annual Pacific Offshore Wind Summit in Sacramento on May 19-21, 2025. That event brought together hundreds of top state officials, industry leaders, and other stakeholders and helped mobilize support and build momentum for California as it forges ahead to meet its ambitious planning goal to generate a nation-leading 25 gigawatts (GW) from offshore wind by 2045.

Taking the Summit to the next level in 2026

For 2026, we're planning to take the Pacific Offshore Wind Summit to the next level - and a new location - to highlight California's ongoing efforts to make floating offshore wind a key part of its clean-energy future.

• After three consecutive years of holding the event in Sacramento, we're planning on hosting the conference in Long Beach, CA, on May 17-19, 2026.
• Hosting the Summit near one of California's leading ports, the Port of Long Beach with its ongoing Pier Wind project, will emphasize the crucial role ports play as an essential next step to bring the state's offshore wind industry online.
• It will also engage supply chain companies whose participation will be vital to launch and build the industry.

We are thrilled with the prospect of bringing the Summit to Long Beach in 2026. With the news and progress 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 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 latest Fact Sheet). Most notable were:

• In May 2025, the California Independent System Operator's (CAISO) selected Viridon to build transmission lines in Humboldt County to support offshore wind off California's North Coast.
• In June 2025, the California Energy Commission's (CEC) launched its AB 3 scoping process to advance port readiness, workforce training, and a sustainable supply chain for California offshore wind.
• In September 2025, California lawmakers approved a first installment of $228 million in Prop 4 funding to upgrade port infrastructure for offshore wind.
• In October 2025, the CEC awarded 5 grants totaling $43 million to improve waterfront facilities for offshore wind at the Port of Long Beach, Humboldt Harbor District, Port San Luis Harbor, and Ports of Oakland and Richmond.

California is staying the course on offshore wind, and so are we. Despite federal headwinds this year, California continues to demonstrate its determination to be a clean-energy leader and remains committed to its plans for offshore wind — by upgrading the state's ports, building new transmission, procuring clean energy at scale, and more. The proof points for California's continued progress and commitment to offshore wind are clear.

What to expect in 2026

At the 2026 Summit, we'll focus on the next set of vital actions California must take to implement the AB 525 strategic plan and its goal to deploy 25 GW of floating offshore wind by 2045. Summit participants will have a chance to:

• Participate in a content-rich program of expert panels and speakers, who will share the latest on industry developments and directions.
• Tour a world-class port and see where many of California's floating offshore wind turbines will be assembled and towed to sea.
• Network with top state officials, industry and labor leaders, and NGOs.

At the Summit, we'll also examine how California can work with government 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 17-19, 2026 in Long Beach, CA (location TBD) 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 Long Beach!