Stakeholder Reactions to the Louisiana Offshore Wind Supply Chain Assessment
For immediate release: April 25, 2024
Contact: Jenny Netherton, Southeastern Wind Coalition, 318-470-1144, jennyn@sewind.org
Brad Ives, Executive Director, Institute for Energy Innovation, Louisiana State University
Email: bradives@lsu.edu
Quote: “Louisiana companies have been heavily involved in construction of America’s first offshore wind farms on the east coast. As the pace of that construction picks up, we expect to see a lot more activity here in the state. Louisianans will be building offshore wind construction and supply vessels. They will be doing underwater survey and engineering work. They will be manufacturing and assembling the turbines. The cumulative effect will be high-paying jobs with bright futures.”
Chett Chiasson, Executive Director, Port Fourchon
Email: chettc@portfourchon.com
Quote: “Port Fourchon is excited to expand our current capabilities for servicing offshore energy and we look forward to increasing Louisiana’s export market with wind.”
Jacqueline Richard, Coastal Studies and GIS Technology Program Manager, Nunez Community College
Email: jrichard@nunez.edu
Quote: “There is an immense amount of generational offshore knowledge and experience in Louisiana; it is exciting to lean on this expertise to train the next energy workforce, bringing meaningful new careers to our coastal communities.”
Jeff Keever, Government Affairs Representative, T. Parker Host
Email: Jeff.Keever@tparkerhost.com
Quote: “After transforming the abandoned Avondale shipyard into the revitalized multimodal logistics hub, Avondale Global Gateway, one of our first tenants was a leading technology, research and development offshore wind company. Based on the Mississippi River, with easy access to the Gulf of Mexico, four active deep-water berths, heavy-lift cranes, connection to railroads and major highways, and hundreds of acres of laydown space, our location is well-equipped to facilitate the reception, storage, manufacturing, and exportation of offshore wind products onsite. We take pride in being an optimal location for the burgeoning offshore wind industry and Louisiana’s expanding energy sector. Our vision is to be part of cementing New Orleans and South Louisiana as the premier hub for offshore wind in the Gulf of Mexico.”
Matheus Chagas, Grand Isle Shipyard, Director of Renewables
Email: mchagas@gisy.com
Quote: “As a 75-year old, proudly Louisianan company, that has historically supported energy producers both traditional and renewable, we are excited to see the completion of this study and the recommendations it provides to our State agencies to bolster our competitiveness in these sectors.”
Richert Self, Lake Charles Harbor & Terminal District, Executive Director
Email: rlself@portlc.com
Quote: “The Port of Lake Charles and the deep draft Calcasieu Ship Channel stand ready to support the Gulf Offshore Wind market as the newest in renewable energy sources. Strategically located 58 miles from the first-ever Gulf of Mexico Offshore wind lease site, the Port provides an ideal location with no air draft restrictions and available acreage. From manufacturing and assembly to logistics and maintenance, the Port of Lake Charles will offer comprehensive support services to facilitate the growth of this sector.”
Read the full study: Louisiana OSW Supply Chain Assessment
About SEWC
The Southeastern Wind Coalition is a 501(c)3 that works to advance the land-based and offshore wind industry in the Southeast. We focus on supply chain growth, economic development, job growth, and wind energy development in the region with solutions that are beneficial to industry, utilities, and result in net economic benefits to citizens and ratepayers. For more information about the Southeastern Wind Coalition, visit http://www.sewind.org.
