The Hawaii State Energy Office (HSEO) believes it is prudent to assess the potential viability of floating offshore wind energy production off Oahu as one possible contributing technology to achieve 100 percent statewide renewable energy generation by 2045.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is drafting a study that will model the costs and visualizations for potential floating offshore wind projects in marine regions around Oahu.
The final study, funded by the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), will be published later this year and will be posted on the HSEO website.
The study is intended to inform stakeholders including the public, electric utilities, and regulatory agencies about the potential for floating offshore wind technology in Hawaii. NREL is currently welcoming input to inform its modeling including grid connections, ports, supply chains, wind resources, and hurricane considerations.
