According to a new report by the American Clean Power Association, offshore wind energy in the Gulf of Mexico could create as many as 17,500 jobs, if two wind farms take shape off the coasts of Texas and Louisiana.
The industry group estimates a pair of offshore wind projects would create between 7,300 and 14,700 jobs during a likely three-year construction period and up to 2,800 permanent positions associated with operations and maintenance.
Louisiana ports could benefit, too, because the Port of Houston has space limitations and is already congested with ship traffic. Local officials believe Louisiana ports, including New Orleans, Avondale and Port Fourchon, are better positioned to attract much of the business associated with wind operations in the Gulf of Mexico.
Many local ports and industrial hubs that long served the offshore oil and gas industry could use new jobs. In Lafayette and Houma, the number of oil and gas jobs has been cut in half over the past decade.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management could begin leasing the Gulf’s deep waters for offshore wind projects by 2025, with turbines spinning in the Gulf by 2028. Leasing in the Gulf and other federal waters off the East and West coasts is likely to encompass between 2,500 and 4,400 square miles.