RWE, Entergy partner to analyze Gulf of Mexico offshore wind market
(WO) — RWE, a global offshore wind company, and Entergy, which owns and operates one of the cleanest large-scale U.S. power generating fleets, have agreed on a partnership to analyze the Gulf of Mexico offshore wind market. The companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly evaluate the delivery of clean energy from offshore wind to industrial customers in Texas and Louisiana.
Under this MOU, RWE and Entergy agree to assess five key areas to define an optimal route-to-market including: market demand for carbon-free energy for customers of Entergy Louisiana, Entergy New Orleans and Entergy Texas; resource economics; transmission analysis to ensure reliability; economic impacts extending to direct and indirect job creation; and curricula to prepare the workforce of the future.
"The existing Gulf of Mexico oil and gas supply chain, workforce, and port infrastructure represent unique advantages to a potential offshore wind hub," said Sam Eaton, CEO of RWE Offshore Holdings, LLC. "Working together with a local partner like Entergy can deepen our understanding of the next steps to strengthen these valuable assets and support a new, regional industry. RWE's early success acquiring two offshore wind lease areas in the U.S. has positioned us well to continue preparing future markets for a robust clean energy economy powered by offshore wind."
"Our customers continue to share with us that they are seeking clean energy solutions to help them reach their own sustainability goals," said Phillip May, Entergy Louisiana President and CEO. "This partnership serves as an important early step to potentially bringing wind power to our Louisiana shores and empowers us to help foster even greater economic growth in Louisiana."
"We continue to move closer to achieving our goal of being a leader in clean energy," said Deanna Rodriguez, Entergy New Orleans president and CEO. "Our work with RWE will help us understand the technical and economic viability of this resource. Over time, we expect wind to be one of several resources needed to support the needs of the communities in which we serve."
"Entergy Texas is perfectly positioned to explore offshore wind development as Texas already leads the nation in electricity generated by wind energy," said Eliecer Viamontes, Entergy Texas president and CEO. "The state and our service area are growing at a rapid rate and this partnership with RWE will play a key role in evaluating a broader slate of clean resources that will sustain our robust pace of industrial growth and economic development in the decades to come."
