BOEM Announces Next Steps for Offshore Wind Energy Leasing in Gulf of Mexico

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has announced the issuance of a Determination of Competitive Interest in two Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) in the Gulf of Mexico. This follows an unsolicited request from Hecate Energy Gulf Wind for a commercial wind energy lease for WEA options C and D. On 29 July 2024, BOEM published a Request for Competitive Interest (RFCI) in the Federal Register, seeking feedback on Hecate’s request.

Invenergy GOM Offshore Wind also expressed interest in WEA options C and D. BOEM has deemed both Hecate and Invenergy to be legally, technically, and financially qualified to hold an Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) renewable energy lease in the Gulf of Mexico. Consequently, BOEM has determined that competitive interest exists in the RFCI areas and will move forward with the competitive lease process, planning to hold the next offshore wind lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico in 2026.

The next step involves analysing other comments received in response to the RFCI and evaluating which portions of WEA options C and D, along with other potential WEA options, are best suited for sale. BOEM will release draft WEAs for public input early next year.