Entergy enters partnership on future offshore wind development in Louisiana

Entergy Louisiana, Entergy New Orleans and Diamond Offshore Wind announced Friday they had signed a memorandum of understanding regarding the evaluation and potential development of wind power generation in the Gulf of Mexico.

The agreement, the companies said, would put Entergy in a position to develop another source of clean power for customers while also strengthening the region’s economic development.

“This is an important first step to possibly bring wind power to our Louisiana shores,” said Phillip May, Entergy Louisiana president and CEO. “While there remains work to be done before that happens, we are excited by the opportunity to begin this process. We aspire to help our communities thrive for generations to come, and this marks yet another milestone in honoring that mission.”

The companies said the memorandum of understanding provides a legal framework for Entergy and Diamond Offshore Wind to work toward the development of potential offshore wind demonstration projects located in Louisiana waters, and will focus on the evaluation of grid interconnectedness to determine size and locations for future offshore wind developments.

“Clean and affordable power is a driver of economic growth, resulting in increased investments and good-paying, green jobs in our communities,” Deanna Rodriguez, Entergy New Orleans president and CEO, said. “Entergy New Orleans understands the importance of serving customers with clean energy to reduce the impacts of climate change and doing so in a way that keeps service affordable to families and businesses in New Orleans. This agreement creates another possible avenue to meet those demands.”

Development of wind energy in the Gulf of Mexico would accelerate the state’s role as a leader in renewable energy development, the companies said, and would fit in with Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards’ Louisiana Climate Action Plan, which outlines recommendations to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.