The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has finalised four new wind energy areas (WEAs) in the Gulf of Mexico.
Together, the WEAs could support offshore wind projects with the potential to produce enough clean, renewable energy to power more than three million homes.
Before finalising the WEAs, BOEM collaborated with NOAA’s National Centres for Coastal Ocean Science to build a model that analysed the entire Gulf of Mexico ecosystem to identify and minimise potential conflicts with marine resources and ocean users.
The four WEAs are Option J – 495,567 acres located approximately 47.2 miles off the coast of Texas, with the potential to support projects that could power 2.1 million homes, Option K – 119,635 acres located approximately 61.5 miles off the coast of Texas, with the potential to support projects that could power 508,200 homes, Option L – 91,157 acres located approximately 52.9 miles off the coast of Texas, with the potential to support projects that could power 387,450 homes, and Option N – 56,978 acres located approximately 82 miles off the coast of Louisiana with the potential to support projects that could power approximately 242,000 homes.
The next steps in the leasing process include issuing a proposed sale notice with a 60-day public comment period.
“BOEM is pursuing another offshore wind lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico due to continued industry interest and feedback from our partners and key stakeholders,” said BOEM director Elizabeth Klein.
