How would electricity get from the offshore wind turbines to shore?

Offshore wind transmission to onshore grid.

Source: BOEM (2)

First, power would flow from each individual wind turbine to a floating offshore substation through an inter-array cable. From the offshore substation, power would flow via an export cable to an onshore substation where it could connect to the wider electric grid. These cables would likely be buried underground wherever possible, both to protect the cable and to reduce environmental impacts. A technique known as “horizontal directional drilling” (3) would allow developers to place the cables underground with reduced seafloor and ground disturbance. Cables will also not be visible on the beach. Tribal collaborations and cultural monitoring are an important part of this process to avoid and minimize disturbance of cultural sites. 

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In May 2025, the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) selected Viridon to construct, operate, and maintain a new high-voltage 500kV transmission line (5) based in Humboldt. With Humboldt's location being isolated comparatively to the rest of California, a large transmission project is needed in order to effectively connect power to the rest of California's main grid. The line is comprised of approximately 416 miles and is panned to be operating by 2035. The project also plans for the construction of a new substation to efficiently transmit the power through the long distances needed.

The transmission line does impose some environmental challenges surrounding the construction process. Firstly, the line runs through heavily forested areas which will need to be cut through during construction. These forests also are habitats for several endangered species which further complicate implementing the line in a manner that does not further risk the threatened species. An environmental assessment being drafted to receive the permit for the project while taking into consideration all possible environmental impact mitigation efforts. Click here (6) for more information regarding the CASIO transmission line. ​

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Watch this video discussing bringing offshore wind power to shore using horizontal directional drilling (4), as opposed to direct burial: