As a renewable energy junky, I was both shocked and pleased to see Google
The project announced this week is a 350-mile long transmission line underwater, along the East Cost, stretching from Virginia to New Jersey that could cost a whopping $5 billion. The line is designed to be the backbone for offshore wind farms but doesn't involve Google building any turbines itself, yet. If completed, an estimated 1.9 million homes could be powered by the line.
This could be the break wind manufacturers need to get offshore wind going in the United States. A project was recently approved off the coast of Massachusetts, but it hasn't exactly been easy to get projects off the ground. Wind turbine manufacturers GE
Once the transmission line is built, independent power generators moving into alternative energy can move in. NRG Energy
This is a huge step in the right direction for wind turbine manufacturers looking to find opportunities offshore. These turbines enjoy winds that blow 40% more than on dry land, generating extra power with less intermittency. This gives producers a solid return on investment (despite higher costs) and theoretically, more money in investor's pockets.
I'm sure this isn't the last power play we've seen from the newest, biggest name in power, Google.
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