A 9.5-megawatt floating wind turbine deployed at the Kincardine Offshore Wind project, located off the coast of Aberdeen, Scotland. Photo courtesy of Principle Power.

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The future of Humboldt County’s offshore wind industry appears increasingly uncertain following mass layoffs at RWE and Vineyard Offshore, the multinational energy companies leading efforts to develop commercial-scale floating wind farms on the North Coast. The job cuts come in response to widespread market uncertainty following President Donald Trump’s efforts to ban offshore wind development in the United States.

In a regulatory filing submitted last week, RWE Offshore Wind Services, LLC confirmed its plans to cut dozens of jobs in its U.S. offshore wind division. Reached via email this morning, RWE spokesperson Ryan Ferguson told the Outpost that the company has laid off “close to 100 people,” including some California-based employees working on the Canopy Offshore Wind project planned for the Humboldt Wind Energy Area. 

“Last year we announced that, due to market conditions and increased risk profile, we would delay certain expenditures related to our US offshore wind development projects,” RWE said in a prepared statement. “With the current regulatory and political environment, we have made the decision to reduce the scope of our development activities and the size of our US Offshore team. As RWE, we remain committed with our US business to advancing energy projects that meet rising energy demand, create jobs, and invest in communities.”

It remains unclear how many local employees have been laid off. The Outpost sought additional comment from 10 employees affiliated with the Canopy Offshore Wind project and received four bounce-back emails — including some from people who live here in Humboldt County — each stating that the employee’s “mailbox is no longer active.”

At the end of last month, Vineyard Offshore cut 50 U.S. and European positions, some of which were reassigned to other international projects. Vineyard Offshore spokesperson Kathryn Niforos shared the following statement:

Vineyard Offshore believes that offshore wind is a vital part of the nation’s future energy independence. Our projects will provide over 6 gigawatts of reliable and affordable energy to meet growing energy needs on the east and west coasts, while creating thousands of jobs and fueling economic growth. In an effort to position our projects for sustainable long-term success we have made the difficult decision to reduce our current team size in light of recent market uncertainties. We look forward to continuing to advance these transformative American energy projects in the years ahead.

Reached for additional comment on the recent layoffs, Chris Mikkelsen, executive director of the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District, said he remains “optimistic and focused on delivering a successful project,” referring to the Offshore Wind Heavy Lift Marine Terminal Project slated for the Samoa Peninsula.

“The District remains focused and optimistic about the development of the proposed heavy-lift marine terminal and our ability to provide facilities that support key state and federal government initiatives while maintaining a focus on our local values and people,” Mikkelson said.

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