Offshore wind in the US Gulf of Mexico: regional economic modeling and site-specific analyses

Abstract

The goal of this study is to assess offshore wind energy resources in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) and to quantify its technical and economic potential in order to inform Federal and GOM state strategic energy planning over the next decade. Based on the findings from the first phase, during which all renewable energy sources in the GOM were evaluated, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) determined that offshore wind has the highest potential to deliver utility scale electricity from ocean-based renewable energy in the GOM. This conclusion is based on the quantification and relative scoring based on three factors: resource adequacy, technology readiness, and cost competitiveness.