About Canopy

Offshore wind will play a pivotal role in California's future energy mix, strengthening grid reliability, enhancing energy security and enabling economic growth. It is a critical resource to help meet rising energy demand.

The logo of Canopy Offshore Wind Farm features a stylised wind turbine design with green and blue elements.

California is planning for 25 GW of offshore wind capacity to be built by 2045. This capacity will generate reliable, clean energy to meet 10-15 percent of the state’s energy needs, powering 3.75 million homes and driving innovation across the region.

In December 2022, RWE secured the lease rights to an area of seabed off the coast of Humboldt County as part of the federal California offshore wind lease auction with the goal of developing, constructing and operating one of the nation’s first floating offshore wind projects, Canopy Offshore Wind

Facts & figures

20 miles

off the coast of Humboldt

Up to 1.6 GW

of clean, reliable American energy capacity

Reliable power

to strengthen the grid and supply more than 600,000 homes

Location

A map showing California's offshore wind auction success with lease areas OCS-P-0561, OCS-P-0562, and Humboldt Bay highlighted.

Project benefits

A solid dark blue square image with no discernible patterns or objects.
Clean and reliable energy

Canopy will transform the powerful winds blowing over the Pacific Ocean to deliver clean, reliable energy to California, meet rising electricity demand and enhance long-term grid stability.

A simple dark blue rectangular background, possibly for a digital interface or design element.
Public and private investments

The construction and operation of turbines will bring investment to the region, creating local, good-paying jobs.

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Educational opportunities

Constructing and installing turbines will require a skilled workforce, creating generational workforce development opportunities. Canopy will support training and certification through partnerships with local universities in Humboldt, labor unions and other local organizations.

A large wind turbine stands in the ocean with a boat nearby and mountains visible in the distance under a clear blue sky.

Floating Wind

Floating wind is a method of generating clean energy from the wind out at sea. Unlike turbines that are fixed to the seabed, floating turbines are secured on top of a foundation that rests on the ocean surface.

An average of 20 miles off the shore of Humboldt, the waters reach over 2,300 feet deep.

Learn More – Floating Wind Virtual Classroom on rwe.com →

Two individuals in orange work overalls and helmets pose on a construction site with cranes and ships in the background.

Project Timeline

Canopy Offshore Wind is expected to begin operations by the mid-2030s, contingent upon the permitting  and regulatory timeline. This timeline allows for equitable workforce development and significant investment to support the region’s economic growth.

There is time to develop equitable workforce development now as major construction isn’t anticipated until the beginning of next decade. RWE is starting now in earnest, planning to perform offshore studies to inform potential project designs, and working with federal, state and local officials to secure necessary permits.

Meet our Canopy Team

Our Team looks forward to connecting with you.

  • Our team members

About RWE

A global leader in offshore wind, RWE is a proven partner ready to help California strengthen its energy independence and grid reliability with clean, American energy. RWE is committed to delivering projects that create jobs, drive innovation, and build a healthier future for generations to come.

RWE brings its wealth of experience in global offshore wind project development across the entire value chain, from project conception to construction and operation. The unparalleled experience the company has earned over the last 20 years has resulted in 19 successful offshore wind projects. Now one of the leading offshore wind developers in the US, RWE’s portfolio includes 6 GW of seabed including Community Offshore Wind off the coasts of New York and New Jersey.