The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has announced a Determination of Competitive Interest for two Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) in the Gulf of Mexico, which was published in the Federal Register on December 13, 2024. This decision follows competitive proposals from Hecate Energy and Invenergy, with BOEM confirming both companies as qualified to hold renewable energy leases.
Hecate Energy initially submitted its request for WEAs C and D in February 2024, proposing a 2 GW offshore wind project featuring up to 133 turbines and multiple landfall and interconnection options. Invenergy responded with a larger proposal, aiming for a 2.5 GW project with up to 140 turbines and offshore substations.
The announcement underscores increasing interest in offshore wind development in the Gulf, building on RWE’s 2023 lease acquisition off Lake Charles, Louisiana. BOEM plans to release draft WEAs for public input in early 2025, with the next offshore wind auction scheduled for 2026.
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