US Gulf of Mexico offshore wind reemerges with Invenergy’s pile on Hecate’s Texas bid
Both American renewables firms identified similar regions off Texas for development, but long-term viability requires climate law in Trump's crosshairs
Offshore wind resurfaced in the US Gulf of Mexico with renewables firm Invenergy’s bid for similar coastal area off Texas earlier identified by American clean energy peer Hecate last summer.
Both developers identified areas around 25 miles (40 km) east of Galveston that are outside BOEM’s designated wind energy areas (WEAs) but within its larger region tipped for development.
Invenergy followed Hecate's unsolicited lease request by proposing a 2.5GW offshore wind array “with the intention of demonstrating commercial and competitive interest, and encouraging BOEM to proceed with the competitive leasing process.”
BOEM is currently evaluating Invenergy’s proposal and may hold a competitive auction in the area.
Flagging interest
RWE has emerged as one of the US' top offshore wind developers, with leases on all three coasts, including one in the New York Bight that it purchased for over $1bn in 2022.
Despite the region’s vaunted offshore oil and gas supply chain of steel fabricators and shipyards and thousands of experienced workers, sector interest has been hindered by relatively low wind speeds and concern over hurricanes.
Lack of demand in the Gulf Coast states was another major hurdle for developers, with only Louisiana setting a sector target of 5GW while others have not expressed interest and outright opposition in Texas.
Yet, Gulf sector advocates say lack of interest in the recent auctions belies its long-term potential.
'Long-term opportunity'
“Immediate responses to an auction in the context of any number of dynamics are very rarely going to speak to the long-term opportunity,” said Cameron Poole, energy and innovation associate at economic development agency Greater New Orleans (GNO) Inc.
The Gulf is home to large industrial sector of oil refineries, chemical plants and fertiliser-makers that consume around 70% of total US hydrogen supply while generating huge emissions and is seen as a prime candidate for decarbonisation.
Even Trump's promise to push fossil fuel extraction has not diminished GNO’s bullishness on Gulf sector development, with Poole citing provisions in the IRA that tie offshore wind and oil & gas leasing.
GNO is participating in collaborations that could even see offshore wind-powered oil rigs in the Gulf.
The IRA offers substantial investment tax credits (ITC) of 30%, assuming wage and apprenticeship criteria are met, with 10% adders each for locating facilities in underprivileged energy communities and for using domestic content.
“When you are talking about any of the emerging and future offshore energy mixes that we may be seeing, inherently, they're all going to be anchored in the Gulf of Mexico,” Poole said.
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