Offshore wind farm in the Gulf of Mexico will provide clean energy for 10 million people: a new era for renewable energy

US president proposes wind farm in Gulf of Mexico to promote renewable energy. The expectation is to generate 30 GW by 2030.

The President of the United States, Joe Biden, announced last Wednesday (22) an ambitious plan to install offshore wind farms along the coast of the country, starting with the Gulf of Mexico. The first licensing sale has already taken place for an offshore wind farm that could supply renewable energy for up to 10 million people. This giant wind farm has the potential to be an important milestone in the country's energy transition and significantly contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Wind farm in the Gulf of Mexico could reach 30 GW of clean energy

The proposal made by Biden could create a super wind farm with turbines capable of generating a total of 30 GW of renewable energy by 2030 to contribute to the fight against climate change.

With this installed capacity, the energy generated could be enough to feed a country like Portugal. This announcement comes after US Energy Agency approval of the first two offshore wind projects in the US on a commercial scale, despite recent discussions about their potential effects on marine life. 

An area greater than 102 hectares on the coast of Lake Charles, Louisiana, and two areas on the coast of Galveston, Texas, with a total of approximately 200 hectares, are already approved. O Gulf of Mexico It is historically a place closely linked to the extraction of oil and gas, however, the current objective of the US president is to end new licensing for fossil fuels.

The proposed sale, which could happen this summer, includes the aforementioned areas for approximately 3,6 GW of clean energy, enough to power approximately 1,3 million homes. 

Gulf of Mexico is the main offshore source of oil and gas

O Bureau of Ocean Energy Management plans to open a two-month public comment period. The Lake Charles offshore sector may be modified and possibly downsized based on feedback received, and BOEM may decide to offer only one of two proposed leases in Galveston.

The Gulf is the main offshore source of Oil and Gas of the country, generating about 97% of all oil and gas production on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf. The National Ocean Industries Association, which represents traditional offshore oil and gas and wind energy companies, says the wind farm, alongside regular and predictable offshore oil and gas leasing, could help the Gulf of Mexico grow its portfolio. of irreplaceable and remarkable energy.

Biden Announces Fall Renewable Energy Plans 

In addition to plans through 2030, Biden also announced plans in the fall to develop deep-ocean floating platforms for wind towers that could vastly scale up offshore wind energy in the US, with up to 15 GW of clean energy from floating sites by 2035 to power 5 million homes.

Home Secretary Deb Haaland, who announced the proposed sale last Wednesday, says there is no time to make bold investments to tackle the climate crisis. Developing a strong domestic offshore wind industry is key to meeting this challenge.

Scientists say that clean energy, such as wind energy, must replace energy from burning coal and gas as quickly as possible to alleviate the severity of climate disturbances. Danish wind developer Orsted is already making infrastructure and vessel investments in the Gulf region for its planned US offshore wind farms.