The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has received an unsolicited lease request from Hecate Energy Gulf Wind to acquire commercial wind energy lease(s) on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in the Gulf of Mexico.
In response, the agency is seeking information regarding whether competitive interest exists in the areas, located off the coast of southeast Texas and totaling just over 142,000 acres, that are included in the company’s request.
If BOEM receives one or more indications of interest in acquiring a commercial wind lease from qualified entities, it may decide to move forward with a competitive lease sale. If it does not receive competing indications of interest from qualified companies, the bureau may move forward with a noncompetitive lease issuance to Hecate Energy.
“The Gulf region benefits from great offshore wind resources and existing energy infrastructure,” says Gulf of Mexico regional director Dr. James Kendall.
“The interest from industry leaders such as Hecate and RWE demonstrates the commercial potential in the region. As we continue to explore these opportunities, we will ensure that any potential development is done in a way that avoids, reduces or mitigates potential impacts to ocean users and the environment.”
