By 2045, California will generate 25 gigawatts of energy from floating offshore wind turbines. The Port of San Francisco will play a critical role in supporting this effort. 

To meet this goal more than 1,600 floating wind turbines will need to be fabricated in the next 20 years. Today, California’s port infrastructure is ill equipped to support this goal. Brand new port facilities needed to support large projects could take a decade to permit and construct before production of offshore wind platforms and integration of units with turbines can even begin. Only ports within reasonable distance to offshore wind farms and with available land will be able to accommodate offshore wind construction space and delivery requirements. The solution will require a multi-port strategy. 

“When I passed our first state law to jumpstart California’s offshore wind industry, I was inspired by the opportunity to create a more sustainable future for California while providing good-paying, green jobs in our local communities. Now, as City Attorney, I am excited to work with the Port of San Francisco to bring the benefits of this important initiative to our hometown.” 

- David Chiu, San Francisco City Attorney & Author of AB 525

Piers 94/96 and its contiguous backlands area offers unique opportunity in California for labor the fabrication and assembly of offshore wind turbine floating foundations and other components. The combined terminals offer deep water berths, significant open acreage, on-dock rail access with connection to Union Pacific Railroad, and easy access to Highways 101 and I-280 via an overweight truck corridor. 

Key Site Advantages: 

• 1,550 linear feet of wharf space. 

• 95 acres of available backlands space. 

• On-dock rail access with connection to Union Pacific Railroad. 

• Easy access to highways 101 and I-280. 

• Overweight truck corridor on all streets accessing terminals. 

• Water depths of 40’ plus, self-scouring, and no dredging needed. 

• Two adjacent, large-capacity concrete production facilities: CEMEX and Central. 

• Availability of diverse, skilled union workforce in Bay Area. 

• Transportation options & regional industries enable high in-state content for supply chain.  

Pier 80 is a multipurpose cargo terminal. Shipping companies specializing in neo-bulk, breakbulk, and over-sized project cargoes, as well as automobiles and rolling stock, have taken advantage of the terminal’s four deep-water berths, abundant covered storage, and paved land. Pier 80 is easily accessible by truck and on-dock rail and could be used to discharge and store offshore wind components. 

Key Site Advantages:  

• 69-acre Mixed-use Breakbulk Terminal and can support ships. 

• Mixed use and can support ships discharging components for offshore wind. 

• On-dock rail access with connection to Union Pacific Railroad. 

• Easy access to highways 101 and I-280. 

• Overweight truck corridor. 

The Port’s former shipyard at Piers 68-70 was once the center of industry and manufacturing in the south of San Francisco, home to Bethlehem Steel and Iron Works. The historic structures and wharves were designed to handle heavy equipment and could serve as an excellent location for offshore wind component manufacturing and fabrication, operations and maintenance facilities, and or administrative offices. 

Key Site Advantages: 

• Additional berth availability. 

• Outdoor and indoor storage. 

• Proximity to commercial and residential districts.