Entergy partners with RWE on Gulf of Mexico offshore wind market

Entergy announced Thursday it would partner with RWE to analyze the Gulf of Mexico offshore wind market.

The two companies said they signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly evaluate how to get clean energy from offshore wind farms in the Gulf to industrial customers in Texas and Louisiana. Entergy owns and operates one of the cleanest large-scale power generating fleets in America, while RWE is a global leader in offshore wind.

“Our customers continue to share with us that they are seeking clean energy solutions to help them reach their own sustainability goals,” Entergy Louisiana President and CEO Phillip May said. “This partnership serves as an important early step to potentially bringing wind power to our Louisiana shores and foster even greater economic growth in Louisiana.”

As part of the agreement, Entergy and RWE will assess five areas: market demand for carbon-free energy in Entergy Louisiana, Entergy New Orleans, and Entergy Texas; resource economics; reliable transmission analysis; and economic impacts, including direct and indirect job creation; and workforce training curricula.

“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 in the U.S. has positioned us well to continue preparing future markets for a robust clean energy economy powered by offshore wind.”