The US Department of Interior has announced a proposed second offshore wind energy auction in the Gulf of Mexico.
The proposed lease sale includes four areas off Louisiana and Texas, totalling 1,659km2.
The region’s first lease auction, in August, drew bids for only one of three tracts. The two tracts off Texas attracted no bids and will be rebid if the second proposed lease sale proceeds.
A 60-day comment period will start on 21 March 2024.
The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is seeking feedback on various aspects of the four proposed lease areas, including size, orientation and location of the lease areas and which areas, if any, should be prioritised for inclusion or exclusion from this lease sale.
BOEM is also seeking comment on potential lease revisions to include the production of hydrogen or other energy products using wind turbines on the lease.
“We are taking action to jumpstart America’s offshore wind industry and using American innovation to deliver reliable, affordable power to homes and businesses, while also addressing the climate crisis," interior secretary Deb Haaland said of the second auction.
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