popular articles

First offshore wind lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico

In a new step to expand the U.S. clean energy economy, the Department of the Interior has announced the first-ever offshore wind lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico. The announcement is part of the latest moves by the Biden-Harris administration to expand offshore wind opportunities to more parts of the country and create good-paying jobs for American workers.

Please share:

In another step by the Biden-Harris administration to expand the U.S. clean energy economy, the Interior Department announced the first-ever offshore wind lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico. The announcement is part of the administration’s latest move to expand offshore wind opportunities to more parts of the country and create good-paying jobs for American workers.

Objective of the Biden-Harris administration

Secretary Deb Haaland said the proposed sale is part of the leasing pathway announced in 2021 to meet the Biden-Harris administration’s goal of deploying 30 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind energy capacity by 2030. Since the beginning of the administration, the Department has conducted three offshore wind lease auctions and initiated an environmental review of 10 offshore wind projects.

Proposed sales area

The proposed notice of sale includes a 102,480-acre area off Lake Charles, Louisiana, and two areas off Galveston, Texas, one comprising 102,480 acres and the other comprising 96,786 acres. BOEM is seeking public comment on which, if any, of the two leasing areas off Galveston should be proposed in the final notice of sale. These areas have the potential to power nearly 1.3 million homes with clean energy.

Environmental commitment

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is committed to ensuring that all offshore wind activities are conducted in a manner that avoids or minimizes potential impacts to the ocean and ocean users. The proposed notice of sale also seeks comment on several lease stipulations that would reaffirm its commitment to well-paying jobs and dialogue with ocean users and other stakeholders.

Potential lease stipulations

BOEM seeks comment on several potential lease stipulations, including offering credits to bidders who commit to support workforce training programs for the offshore wind industry, establishing and contributing to a fisheries compensatory mitigation fund or contributing to an existing fund to mitigate potential adverse impacts to commercial recreational and for-hire fisheries caused by offshore wind development in the Gulf of Mexico, and requiring lessees to provide a regular progress report summarizing engagement with tribes and ocean users potentially impacted by proposed offshore wind activities.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

Italian group ERG has completed an 18 MW wind farm in Pas-de-Calais, backed by a 20-year contract for difference and developed without external partners.
Rising installations and the integration of predictive technologies are driving the wind turbine operations and maintenance market, projected to hit $59.67bn by 2030, according to MarketsandMarkets.
Rising installations and the integration of predictive technologies are driving the wind turbine operations and maintenance market, projected to hit $59.67bn by 2030, according to MarketsandMarkets.
Danish group Ørsted halts development of its Hornsea 4 offshore wind project in the UK, citing financial and operational risks that no longer guarantee returns for shareholders.
Danish group Ørsted halts development of its Hornsea 4 offshore wind project in the UK, citing financial and operational risks that no longer guarantee returns for shareholders.
Danish wind turbine manufacturer Vestas posts an unexpected net profit despite tariff tensions and confirms its 2025 outlook.
Danish wind turbine manufacturer Vestas posts an unexpected net profit despite tariff tensions and confirms its 2025 outlook.
Clearway Energy strengthens its presence in Washington State with the purchase of the 137 MW Tuolumne wind project, securing a 15-year power purchase agreement with Turlock Irrigation District.
Danish developer Ørsted has finalised the sale of 24.5% of its stake in the UK’s West of Duddon Sands wind farm to funds managed by Schroders Greencoat for GBP456.1mn ($571mn).
Danish developer Ørsted has finalised the sale of 24.5% of its stake in the UK’s West of Duddon Sands wind farm to funds managed by Schroders Greencoat for GBP456.1mn ($571mn).
The Princess Elisabeth energy island project advances with the placement of two caissons, launching a key phase of marine civil engineering off the Belgian coast.
The Princess Elisabeth energy island project advances with the placement of two caissons, launching a key phase of marine civil engineering off the Belgian coast.
Equinor condemned the mid-April suspension of its offshore wind farm Empire Wind 1 near New York, a $2.5bn project halted by U.S. authorities, labelling the move illegal.
Equinor condemned the mid-April suspension of its offshore wind farm Empire Wind 1 near New York, a $2.5bn project halted by U.S. authorities, labelling the move illegal.
Despite turbines priced 30 to 40% lower, Chinese manufacturers struggle to overcome credibility barriers hindering their progress in the European wind sector.
Greenvolt Power has finalised the sale of the Pelplin wind farm in Poland to Enea Nowa Energia for €174.4mn, reinforcing its large-scale renewable asset monetisation strategy.
Greenvolt Power has finalised the sale of the Pelplin wind farm in Poland to Enea Nowa Energia for €174.4mn, reinforcing its large-scale renewable asset monetisation strategy.
EnBW’s He Dreiht project reaches a major milestone with the installation of the first 15 MW Vestas turbine, marking progress in the construction of the 960 MW wind farm.
EnBW’s He Dreiht project reaches a major milestone with the installation of the first 15 MW Vestas turbine, marking progress in the construction of the 960 MW wind farm.
RWE has started work on a new 22.8 megawatt onshore wind farm in Papenhagen, northeastern Germany, after winning a tender from the Federal Network Agency.
RWE has started work on a new 22.8 megawatt onshore wind farm in Papenhagen, northeastern Germany, after winning a tender from the Federal Network Agency.
China has reached a historic energy milestone with wind and solar capacity now exceeding that from thermal sources, amid an acceleration of new installations.
Mainstream Renewable Power sold its entire Colombian portfolio to Celsia, marking its exit from the country to focus operations on three strategic markets.
Mainstream Renewable Power sold its entire Colombian portfolio to Celsia, marking its exit from the country to focus operations on three strategic markets.
Ocean Winds has completed the installation of 32 Biohut modules on a floater of its EFGL pilot project, marking a global first for floating offshore wind incorporating artificial habitats for biodiversity.
Ocean Winds has completed the installation of 32 Biohut modules on a floater of its EFGL pilot project, marking a global first for floating offshore wind incorporating artificial habitats for biodiversity.
A recently published study shows that over 50 Connecticut companies are actively participating in offshore wind projects, with growth potential for 450 other companies in the region.
A recently published study shows that over 50 Connecticut companies are actively participating in offshore wind projects, with growth potential for 450 other companies in the region.
US authorities have ordered the halt of Equinor's Empire Wind 1 offshore wind project located off New York, citing insufficient environmental analysis according to the Biden administration. Construction had been underway since 2024.
Belgian group DEME has signed an agreement to acquire Norway’s Havfram for €900 mn, consolidating its fleet and global presence in the offshore wind market.
Belgian group DEME has signed an agreement to acquire Norway’s Havfram for €900 mn, consolidating its fleet and global presence in the offshore wind market.
Developer Energiequelle has secured five projects totalling 143 MW through a national onshore wind tender, expanding its footprint across four German federal states.
Developer Energiequelle has secured five projects totalling 143 MW through a national onshore wind tender, expanding its footprint across four German federal states.
The United States recorded its lowest volume of wind installations in a decade in 2024, according to Wood Mackenzie data, due to tax timing effects and persistent regulatory uncertainty.
The United States recorded its lowest volume of wind installations in a decade in 2024, according to Wood Mackenzie data, due to tax timing effects and persistent regulatory uncertainty.
RWE has signed a 20-year electricity supply agreement with Sanofi, committing to deliver 21 GWh annually from a wind farm located in the Marne region.
RWE led the latest onshore wind tender launched by the Commission de régulation de l’énergie, securing seven projects representing a prorated capacity of 151 megawatts.
RWE led the latest onshore wind tender launched by the Commission de régulation de l’énergie, securing seven projects representing a prorated capacity of 151 megawatts.
The Montpellier court has ordered a one-year suspension of the Bernagues wind farm, finding Énergie Renouvelable du Languedoc responsible for the death of a golden eagle, a protected species, in January 2023.
The Montpellier court has ordered a one-year suspension of the Bernagues wind farm, finding Énergie Renouvelable du Languedoc responsible for the death of a golden eagle, a protected species, in January 2023.
ScottishPower Renewables awards HSM Offshore Energy the design and construction of the offshore substation and its foundation for the East Anglia TWO wind farm off the Suffolk coast.
ScottishPower Renewables awards HSM Offshore Energy the design and construction of the offshore substation and its foundation for the East Anglia TWO wind farm off the Suffolk coast.

Advertising