WILMINGTON, Del.  Google is investing in a major offshore wind transmission network that would connect turbines up and down the East Coast, enhancing the reliability of wind farms still on the drawing board. Researchers and offshore wind advocates say the underwater "backbone" will be critical for the long-term sustainability of the industry, and the ability for areas with heavy wind to send power to areas where the wind is lighter. The transmission lines, which could cost up to $5 billion over the next 10 years, would run as far as 20 miles offshore from Virginia to New Jersey. The initial phase of the project would be capable of delivering 2,000 megawatts of wind energy — enough to power about 500,000 homes. Besides Google (GOOG), buying into the project is investment firm Good Energies, Japanese industrial conglomerate Marubeni and Maryland transmission company Trans-Elect. However, the backbone does not answer how developers are expected to build the offshore wind farms themselves, now mired in an anticipated seven- to nine-year permitting process. Lawmakers have shown little appetite to further subsidize the high cost of offshore wind or put a price on carbon, which would drive the price of coal up. "The importance of an offshore transmission backbone will be critical when an adequate number of offshore wind farms are being developed simultaneously off the East Coast," said President Jim Lanard of the Offshore Wind Development Coalition, an industry group in Washington. "The key, however, is that a substantial number of offshore wind project need to be under development." Trans-Elect CEO Robert Mitchell said the first phase is expected to cost $1.8 billion and run 150 miles in federal waters from New Jersey to Delaware and be complete by early 2016. Google and Good Energies will each own 37.5% of the project. Marubeni will own 15%. A group led by Trans-Elect will own the remaining 10%, Mitchell said. The plans carries a lot of risks but represents a vote of confidence in the future of offshore wind by one of the world's most prominent companies, said Matt DaPrato, an analyst with the Massachusetts-based IHS Emerging Energy Research. It will take a long time to get all the permits and rights of way to build the backbone, he said. "We've seen a lot of transmission projects really struggle," DaPrato said. "I don't think this project's going to be any different." Contributing: Associated Press Guidelines: You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. Read more