California defies federal opposition with $4.7B offshore wind turbine hub
California is pressing ahead with its offshore wind ambitions despite federal opposition. The state plans to build a massive turbine assembly site at the Port of Long Beach, part of a $4.7-billion project. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has taken repeated steps to block offshore wind development since early 2025. The Pier Wind project will transform a 400-acre section of the Port of Long Beach into a hub for assembling offshore wind turbines. Workers will create new land through a large-scale dredge-and-fill operation in the harbour. Once built, the turbines will be towed north to federal lease areas off Morro and Humboldt bays.
California aims to generate 25 gigawatts of offshore wind power by 2045. The Port of Long Beach is one of only two sites in the state equipped for this kind of assembly work. However, the Trump administration has obstructed progress by cancelling $500 million in funding for port upgrades in Humboldt.
At the same time, the White House has redirected nearly $2 billion to energy companies. The money encourages firms to drop offshore wind plans and instead invest in U.S. oil and gas projects. Since January 2025, the administration has taken over two dozen actions against offshore wind development. California officials are moving forward with port preparations under state control. Their strategy involves completing as much work as possible within their jurisdiction while waiting for a change in federal policy. The outcome will determine whether the state meets its 2045 offshore wind target.
