Morro Bay, California: November 30, 2018 – For Immediate Release. Project to create new jobs and long-term economic benefits to Morro Bay and San Luis Obispo County
On Thursday, November 29, 2018, the Morro Bay City Council approved an exclusive Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) with Castle Wind LLC, a joint venture between Trident Winds Inc. and EnBW North America Inc., to support the development of Castle Wind’s planned 1,000 MW offshore wind project off the coast of Central California. The CBA recognizes and affirms the long-standing relationship between Castle Wind and the Morro Bay community and calls for a coordinated effort to maximize the economic and other benefits during development, construction and operation of the offshore wind farm. The CBA grants an exclusive option to Castle Wind to lease the outflow tunnel owned by the City for establishing a grid connection at the Morro Bay substation, expressly.
The CBA recognizes the benefits to the local commercial fishermen already secured under a Mutual Benefits Agreement between Castle Wind, the Morro Bay Commercial Fishermen Organization and the Port San Luis Commercial Fishermen Association, executed on November 6, 2018. Under that agreement, Castle Wind would provide essential community benefits intended to reduce the anticipated impacts of the offshore wind project on the local commercial fishermen (http://www.castlewind.com/port-san-luis-fishermans-association/).
Under the CBA, Castle Wind commits to create a wide range of economic opportunities for the Morro Bay community if it secures a lease for the project from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). These commitments include hiring qualified local residents, establishing internships and trainee programs at local schools and universities during construction and operation of the wind farm, establishment of a maintenance and monitoring facility for the project at the Morro Bay harbor, and promotion of local businesses for over 30-year project life. Castle Wind will work with the City to generate “green solutions” with electric vehicles, charging stations, etc., and will assist with the potential formation of a Community Choice Aggregator.
California’s offshore wind is an abundant, local, renewable energy resource that will help California achieve its climate and renewable energy goals, while providing critical diversity in the energy supply. California has some of the most ambitious climate and renewable energy goals in the world, including recent legislation calling for California’s energy supply to be carbon neutral by 2045. Castle Wind aims to harness that resource potential off the coast of Central California. The planned offshore wind project could generate approximately 1,000 megawatts of clean, consistent renewable energy for over 300,000 households, create well-paying sustainable jobs during the project’s lifetime, and bring new economic benefits and tax revenues to the city of Morro Bay and the San Luis Obispo County.
About Morro Bay Commercial Fishermen Organization (MBCFO)
The MBCFO was established in 1972 to address issues facing commercial fishermen. The MBCFO represents the working men and women of Morro Bay, California’s waterfront. The MBCFO works closely with governmental organizations, NGOs, business groups and other stakeholders on a number of issues every year to support commercial fisheries, improve marine environments and strengthen the social and economic health of our community. MBCFO is an all-volunteer organization (no paid employees) and relies on board members’ energy and vision to execute it’s many goals.
About Port San Luis Commercial Fishermen Association (PSLCFA)
PSLCFA, incorporated in 1975, is dedicated to the advancement of the commercial fishing and community programs within Port San Luis Harbor and within San Luis Obispo County. The PSLCFA is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation.
About Castle Wind LLC
Castle Wind LLC, was established in 2018 as a joint venture between Trident Winds Inc., a developer of deep-water offshore wind projects, and EnBW AG, one of the largest German utilities. EnBW, with a workforce of 20,000 employees, supplies electricity, gas, water and energy-related products and services to over 5.5 million customers. EnBW pursues a sustainable long-term approach by investing in large-scale renewables. Currently EnBW is planning, developing and operating a portfolio of 1,846 MW of offshore wind. Castle Wind LLC is focusing on obtaining the site lease from BOEM for approximately 1,000 MW floating offshore wind project and is in the queue with California Independent System Operator for the grid connection at the Morro Bay substation.