Louisiana
Advancing Wind Energy in the Pelican State
Louisiana is Poised to Be a Leader in Offshore Wind
The shallow Gulf of Mexico waters and steady winds off the coast are ideal for turbine installation and operation. Louisiana boasts the largest port system in the Western Hemisphere and an existing maritime infrastructure with experience in offshore installations. Both state and federal opportunities for offshore wind are on the horizon in Louisiana.
The process for federal offshore wind development begins much like oil and gas. Developers bid on predetermined lease areas to win the rights to place turbines and develop the area. In October 2023, RWE officially signed a lease agreement for a Wind Energy Area off the coast of Lake Charles.
The State of Louisiana has also signed two Operating Agreements for projects in state waters through a separate process. Louisiana is currently developing an Offshore Wind Roadmap that will further evaluate opportunities for offshore wind in the Gulf.
Land Based Wind Potential
With its vast cropland and flat landscape, Louisiana’s Delta Region is well-suited to becoming a hub for land-based wind thanks to technological advances in the wind industry. The region's strong wind resources, especially in agricultural zones, and its connection to the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) RTO create a solid platform for wind energy development. Read more about wind energy in the Delta Region here.
Building on the success of Mississippi’s Delta Wind Farm—the first wind project in MISO South—Louisiana has the potential to harness similar opportunities, driving both economic growth and clean energy in its farming communities.
Project Pipeline
RWE, Lease OCS G-37334: RWE became the first leaseholder in the Gulf of Mexico in August 2023. Located 44 miles off the coast of Louisiana with water depths of 10-25 meters, this lease area has the capacity to up to 2 GW of new capacity, roughly to power over 350,000 U.S. homes with clean energy. The project is expected to be in operation by the mid-2030s.
In Summer 2023, RWE signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Entergy to evaluate the delivery of clean energy from offshore wind to customers in Louisiana and Texas.
Louisiana Offshore Wind Supply Chain Assessment
The Louisiana Offshore Wind Supply Chain Assessment is a collaborative effort between SEWC, PEW, GNO Inc., Xodus, and CPEX that demonstrates Louisiana’s ability to reap job and economic benefits from offshore wind.
Louisiana has a unique opportunity to capitalize on its existing energy expertise. This report shows how the state can add wind to an already thriving offshore economy.
Louisiana Resources
Report: Louisiana Offshore Wind Supply Chain
Fact Sheet: Offshore Wind in Louisiana
BOEM- Gulf Of Mexico
Fact Sheet: Wind Energy in the Mississippi Delta
Fact Sheet: Wind Energy 101- Understanding the Basics of Wind Energy on Land