Offshore wind power offers the possibility of a large energy source located close to the major population centers in the US and eventually contributing 54 GW to the energy portfolio and result in over 50,000 permanent operations and maintenance jobs. The advancements in offshore wind energy in Europe and Asia have furthered the deployment of offshore large wind farms and have demonstrated the application of this technology as cost effective and environmentally benign. In the US, the leading generator of wind power worldwide, most of the wind power generation has happened onshore and far from many of the large load-centers.

Specifically, Texas leads the generation of wind power in the US, with much of the generation occurring in west Texas. As the US considers the possibility of building offshore wind power resources, most of the interest has focused on the eastern seaboard, including New England and the Chesapeake Bay areas, and northwest along the Pacific coast as well as the Great Lakes areas. In spite of the long history of the oil and gas industry’s work in the Gulf of Mexico and the unique rights of the state on marine resources up to nine nautical miles, the development of offshore wind power in the state of Texas lags significantly.

Several challenges including the tropical storms and environmental concerns including migratory issues have been attributed, it is unclear if technology, environmental mitigation and a strong economic case can help turn the conditions for the growth of offshore wind power in Texas. The panel will examine best practices and the growth of offshore wind globally to help delineate the opportunities, challenges and path forward for the advancement of offshore wind in Texas.