Entergy Louisiana and Diamond Generating Corporation (DGC) signed an agreement to evaluate and potentially deploy offshore wind projects in the Gulf of Mexico.

Efforts will initially focus on the evaluation of grid interconnection to determine the optimal size and locations of future offshore wind development.

“This is an important first step to possibly bring wind power to our Louisiana shores,” said Phillip May, Entergy Louisiana president and CEO.

Earlier in 2022, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) submitted the Louisiana Climate Action Plan, which offered a series of recommendations that can lead Louisiana to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This includes adding five GW of offshore wind generation capacity by 2035.

Federal support includes passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, which contains $370 billion for climate and energy programs. Boosted by the legislation, policy experts say offshore wind power is poised for growth.

President Joe Biden signed executive orders in July 2022 that aim to bolster the U.S. offshore wind industry and address the impacts of climate change.

Biden’s administration has identified two zones for offshore wind development in the Gulf of Mexico, which up until now has been firmly identified with oil and gas production. This action could help jump-start the years-long offshore wind development process after former President Donald Trump had cast uncertainty on the industry by banning new wind leases in certain parts off the U.S. Atlantic coast and Gulf of Mexico.

Biden has set a goal for the deployment of 30 GW of offshore wind generating capacity by 2030 – enough to power 10 million homes.

Entergy Louisiana has approximately 280 MW of renewable resources, including the Capital Region Solar facility, which began delivering power to the grid in October 2020. Along with nuclear generation, nearly 30% of the company’s portfolio comes from renewable resources. Louisiana regulators also recently approved 475 MW of solar power with an additional 2,000 megawatts in the queue.

DGC is a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corporation and was formed to develop, own and operate offshore wind projects in the U.S.

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