The US government is preparing to lease regions within the Gulf of Mexico for the establishment of wind energy farms.This is the first instance of such an event and the auctioned areas hold the potential to generate around 3.7 gigawatts of electricity.The sites, located off the coasts of Texas and Louisiana, comprise 848.8 square kilometers.This move aligns with the nation’s goal to generate 30 gigawatts of offshore wind power by 2030 and to transition to a carbon-free electricity sector by 2035.Offshore wind farm areas in Gulf of Mexico slated for auction.

(Photo Internet reproduction)The auction is scheduled for August 29.

The Gulf of Mexico currently produces 97% of the US’s seabed-extracted oil and gas.Previous auctions for offshore wind farms have occurred in the Atlantic and Pacific coastal areas, with the most recent in New Jersey.These measures are part of the US’s increased investment towards addressing climate change, with over US$16 billion invested in new offshore wind projects since 2021.