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Sponsorships and Speaking Engagements | 31 January 2025
Transmission Developments – Tulane Offshore Wind Conference
The Gulf of Mexico has the potential to generate almost 510,000 megawatts of offshore wind energy per year. That is twice the current energy need of all five Gulf states, and larger than the potential offshore wind capacity of the Pacific Coast and the Great Lakes combined.
On 29 August 2023, BOEM held the first ever auction for three wind energy lease areas in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The lease areas were located approximately 30 to 40 miles off the coast of Texas and Louisiana. The auction closed after two rounds, lasting about an hour. Neither bidder submitted a bid for the two lease areas off the coast of Galveston, Texas. RWE Offshore US Gulf, LLC (RWE) submitted the winning bid for the 102,480-acre area offshore of Lake Charles, Louisiana. In March 2024, the US Department of the Interior (DOI) and BOEM issued a Proposed Sale Notice (PSN) for a second offshore wind auction in the Gulf of Mexico, planning to offer four areas offshore Louisiana and Texas. However, mid 2024 BOEM cancelled the second offshore wind lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico as there was no competitive interest.
Despite a rocky start, the Gulf of Mexico's offshore wind industry is showing new signs of life. After a string of setbacks, including the cancelled lease auction and lukewarm interest from major developers, two Chicago-based companies are breathing fresh air into the Gulf's wind potential. Hecate Energy, known primarily for solar projects, surprised many by proposing a 133-turbine wind farm off the Texas coast. This bold move, following the Biden administration's cancellation of a lease auction due to low interest, signals a belief in the Gulf's untapped potential. Invenergy, another Chicago energy player, quickly followed suit with a proposal for a larger, 140-turbine project in the same area. While uncertainties persist, the recent interest from Hecate and Invenergy marks a potential turning point for the Gulf of Mexico's offshore wind industry. With its immense potential and growing demand for clean energy, the Gulf could soon become a major player in the nation's transition to a renewable future.
The Gulf of Mexico's potential as a renewable energy powerhouse is fueling renewed hope for its offshore wind industry. The region boasts enough wind potential to power the entire Gulf Coast twice over, while a skilled workforce, particularly in Louisiana, has years of experience in the offshore wind supply chain. Growing demand from Texas cities committed to ambitious climate goals and a decarbonizing oil and gas industry presents a burgeoning market for offshore wind energy. Furthermore, significant investment in green hydrogen projects, which rely on renewable energy sources like offshore wind, is creating additional momentum for the industry's growth.
Furthermore, we will also discuss the future of offshore wind under the incoming administration!
Tulane Law School is the premier law school in the Gulf region focusing on offshore wind law. This promises to be a fruitful conference. We hope to see you on Friday 31 January 2025!
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