RWE Renewables is to collaborate with economic development organization Greater New Orleans Inc (GNO) and GNOwind Alliance to accelerate the development of Louisiana’s supply chain with the offshore wind industry
Over the next six months, GNO will host a series of workshops to identify Louisiana companies with transferable capabilities for offshore wind. The goal is to provide leading energy companies such as RWE with supply chain contacts.
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards said, “I am excited to see the investment and partnership that RWE and GNO are making to accelerate the development of the offshore wind supply chain here in Louisiana. This is another tangible step in the implementation of the state’s Climate Action Plan and will help Louisiana businesses capitalize on opportunities in the burgeoning offshore wind industry.”
GNO president and chief executive Michael Hecht said, “There is a natural connection between Louisiana’s historical strength in offshore oil and gas development and services and the future needs of offshore wind. We want to help Louisiana companies train their workforce and take advantage of opportunities in offshore wind.”
RWE Renewables Americas executive vice president offshore wind development Sam Eaton said, “We have had positive experiences developing supply chain pathfinder programmes in which we engage with local companies and share information about the needs of the offshore wind industry, learn more about their capabilities.”
Offshore wind is an important component of Louisiana’s climate emission reduction plans. In its recently adopted Climate Action Plan, the state proposed a goal of 5 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2035.
In addition, a legislative measure (HB 165) to expand the size of wind leases in state waters cleared the Louisiana House of Representatives and is expected to pass the Senate in the coming weeks, further accelerating the deployment of offshore wind in the Gulf of Mexico.
