Louisiana Primed to Lead Offshore Wind Supply Chain

A report from The Pew Charitable Trusts in April found that over 450 Louisiana businesses stand to benefit from the expansion of offshore wind nationally and in the Gulf of Mexico. Industries adjacent to offshore wind employ more than 60,000 Louisiana workers, and Louisiana businesses have been instrumental in helping to build this emerging energy sector since the first U.S. offshore wind farm came online near Rhode Island in 2016.

The report, “Louisiana Offshore Wind Supply Chain Assessment,” provides recommendations to help Louisiana tap into its wealth of energy expertise and capacity to build offshore wind in U.S. waters. It also outlined five important steps the state should take to build its offshore wind opportunities and broaden its reputation as an energy leader:

• Maximize export opportunities to strengthen business networks and position Louisiana companies for large contracts.
• Invest in the offshore-ready workforce and job sites to build awareness about offshore wind job opportunities and be ready to fill supply chain needs.
• Upgrade ports and support shipbuilding to meet national targets and support the maritime industry by leveraging the state’s reputation as a shipbuilding hub.
• Capitalize on the economic benefits of offshore wind by committing to and codifying a state offshore wind procurement target and establishing a lead agency within state government to provide market certainty, ensure the enforceability of state goals, and drive additional private investment.
• Solidify Louisiana leadership by coordinating state government, higher education networks, economic development organizations, and grant-funded innovation clusters to expand the state’s leadership in the energy sector.

These steps will help Louisiana meet the supply chain and workforce needs of U.S. offshore wind—and broaden its reputation as an energy leader.

“The report outlines how Louisiana can be a leader in supplying the goods and services needed to build out offshore wind in the U.S.,” said Laura Lightbody, who directs Pew’s energy modernization project. “This industry is poised to generate over $100 billion in private investment and nearly 50,000 jobs in this country, much of which can be realized by Louisiana businesses and workers.”