A January 2025 DOE report shows that floating offshore wind could bring 33 GW of energy to the western United States by 2050 and bolster the resilience of coastal communities. 

Offshore wind energy in deep waters off the coast blows with force day and night. It is a critical energy source at night complementing solar energy by providing generation at the end of the day and into the evening as the sun sets.

Cities along the coast are far from where energy is generated by other sources, such as hydropower dams, solar panels, land-based wind turbines, and natural gas generators. Access to offshore wind energy could improve grid resilience in these coastal communities and lessen gas dependency.

Floating offshore wind also offers flexibility when it comes to operations and maintenance once a project is completed. Repairs of fixed-bottom turbines must occur at site, but floating turbines can be towed to port, where maintenance can be carried out in a protected harbor.