Dave DoolittleThe Gulf of Mexico is one step closer to getting offshore wind energy. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is issuing a Request for Competitive Interest (RFCI) to determine the level of interest in developing offshore wind off the coast of Texas.
The RFCI comes after BOEM received an unsolicited lease request from Hecate Energy Gulf Wind LLC.
The request covers two areas off the southeast coast of Texas, totaling 142,352 acres. These areas, known as Wind Energy Area Option C and Option D, were previously identified by BOEM in 2021 as potential sites for offshore wind development.
The request also comes after the cancellation of a previously planned offshore wind lease sale due to lack of competitive interest. That sale, initially proposed in March 2024, received only one expression of interest from 25 comments.
The move to open a new competitive process is a crucial step in expanding renewable energy development in the Gulf of Mexico, a region traditionally dominated by oil and gas production. Offshore wind is a major part of the government’s energy and climate policies, but getting turbines on the water is a complicated and costly process. The potential development of these areas would contribute to the goal of deploying 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030, helping to reduce carbon emissions and create new jobs in the clean energy sector.
“The Gulf region benefits from great offshore wind resources and existing energy infrastructure,” Gulf of Mexico Regional Director Dr. James Kendall said in a press release. Kendall added that the interest from Hecate and other private companies, “demonstrates the commercial potential in the region. As we continue to explore these opportunities, we will ensure that any potential development is done in a way that avoids, reduces, or mitigates potential impacts to ocean users and the environment.”
The RFCI has been posted to the federal register, opening a public comment period. Interested parties can submit comments through the federal rulemaking portal by Sept. 12, 2024.
Photo by Nicholas Doherty on Unsplash
