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•  LoCO Interview: Meet the Folks at RWE, One of the Energy Companies Working to Bring Floating Offshore Wind Facilities to Humboldt’s Coast

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Press release from RWE:

RWE, a world-leading developer of offshore wind, released the official name of its Northern California project today — Canopy Offshore Wind Farm (Canopy). Coming near the one-year anniversary of RWE’s successful bid in the 2022 federal offshore lease auction where the company secured the right to develop an up to 1.6 GW project 28 miles off the coast of Humboldt County, the announcement marks another key step for one of the first commercial-scale floating offshore wind farms that will deliver sustainable power and help firmly position the North Coast as a hub for the floating offshore wind industry on the West Coast.

“The name, Canopy, is our nod to the region’s iconic redwoods and a look forward to a future where Humboldt is home to a world-class offshore wind project that will provide new economic opportunities, including green jobs for the region, and power a clean grid,” said Canopy Offshore Wind Farm Project Director Rob Mastria. “The project name symbolizes RWE’s commitment to planting roots in this unique community and to developing a project that will bring generational investments to the region while moving the state closer to net-zero.”

RWE’s track record of successful project development in offshore wind and other renewable technologies has been built on its understanding that a proactive, inclusive approach is what ensures communities are informed, projects are safe, sustainable and generate positive economic impact.

To support this inclusive approach and its long-term investment in the Humboldt region, RWE plans to open an office in downtown Eureka in early 2024 for its local team, which recently expanded with the addition of three new hires focused on building relationships, providing transparent project updates and continuing to engage the community during every step of Canopy’s development.

“Offshore wind presents tremendous opportunity and potential for the communities of the North Coast. To be successful, the process must be inclusive and well understood from the start, working with all stakeholders, including partners in higher education, Tribal nations, labor unions and local governments to bring responsibly developed projects online. RWE’s investment in its community presence will support the type of collaborative, collective effort needed to achieve California’s climate goals with transformational clean energy projects,” said Assemblymember Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg).

Canopy will have the potential to power more than 600,000 homes and is expected to be in operation by the mid-2030s. Ushering in an innovative new industry to Humboldt, the project will bring with it significant infrastructure investment, jobs and local benefits for generations to come. For the Canopy project, that will mean a skilled workforce for construction and the long-term operation and maintenance of Canopy’s floating turbines.

“The Office of Economic Development is excited to partner with RWE to harness the significant opportunities that California’s emerging offshore wind industry offers. Canopy will breathe new life into Humboldt’s economy with local workers being trained to build and operate groundbreaking clean energy technology right here in our own backyard,” said Scott Adair, director of the Humboldt County Office of Economic Development.

“We’re thrilled to have RWE as our neighbor in downtown Eureka. Canopy represents a significant, long-term endeavor for Humboldt and RWE’s expanding local team demonstrates their commitment to a project that will provide economic opportunity and clean energy to the region for decades to come,” said Nancy Olson, President and CEO of the Greater Eureka Chamber of Commerce.

“It is great to see RWE’s Canopy project progressing in Humboldt. Offshore wind will be a win for labor, bringing decades of meaningful, middle-class jobs in construction and ongoing operations and revitalizing regional supply chains,” said Jeff Hunerlach, Secretary-Treasurer of the Humboldt-Del Norte Building & Construction Trades Council.

A pioneer of floating technology and one of the world’s most prominent offshore wind companies, RWE is active across the entire value chain, from project conception to development, construction, operation and maintenance Working collaboratively with industry partners and local institutions, RWE’s experience will help Humboldt develop into an offshore wind energy hub while protecting the area’s coastline and ocean ecosystem. Through ongoing, extensive conversations with regional governments, constituents, Tribal Nations and fishermen, the Canopy team will ensure this critical project is developed in a responsible, equitable manner.