Jacobs, PA Consulting and Xodus to Deliver Comprehensive Offshore Wind Roadmap for Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources

The Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources (LDENR) has selected Jacobs, in collaboration with PA Consulting and Xodus, to help develop a Comprehensive Offshore Wind Roadmap that aims to promote energy independence, diversification, and security in the state while developing the state’s workforce and local economy. 

Jacobs will develop technical studies for the Offshore Wind Roadmap, including gap analyses of state assets, addressing workforce and supply chain considerations, and evaluating environmental impacts. PA Consulting will offer its 30 years of energy market analysis to the roadmap, combining technical knowledge of the energy market with an outlook for current and future market policy to develop actionable economic insights. Xodus, a global energy consultancy, will provide insights and recommendations on advancing supply chain and workforce development strategies to secure equitable economic growth.

The State of Louisiana has a goal to develop five gigawatts of offshore wind by 2035. This roadmap will address various aspects of offshore wind development, including the de-confliction of state-owned waters, implementation of best practices in wind power generation and related regulation, workforce development strategies, supply chain analysis, port assessment, and economic considerations related to building a domestic wind energy industry in the state. 

“We’re committed to ensuring our communities have enough energy to meet demand and safeguarding power systems against physical and other threats across all end markets,” says Jacobs Vice President Fiachra Ó Cléirigh. “Drawing upon our extensive experience with Louisiana’s critical state infrastructure, we’re taking a comprehensive approach to designing an enduring energy independence and diversification program using offshore wind technologies. This project not only generates new job opportunities but also fosters reliance on locally available and sustainable resources.”

"Louisiana is an energy powerhouse. We have a long history with successful offshore industrial efforts, and our workforce is second to none,” says Secretary at the Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources Tyler Gray. “Offshore wind is set to expand Louisiana’s ‘all of the above’ energy portfolio with multiple resources at our disposal in the Gulf of Mexico. With diverse energy resources offshore, we’ll become more energy independent, and our state is set to grow as an offshore wind manufacturing hub for the world.” 

“The Offshore Wind Roadmap presents an opportunity to create a long-term offshore wind strategy for the state. PA’s global track record in strategy and transactions advisory for offshore wind projects, and specialty in energy policy and market analysis, auctions and market-entry, will create value for the state and help establish the key elements of an attractive investment climate for prospective developers,” says PA Energy & Utilities Expert Ron Norman.

“Louisiana businesses and workers have been a cornerstone of the supply chain for offshore energy projects, including the emerging U.S. offshore wind market. Over a dozen Louisiana companies already have experience supporting offshore wind projects on the Atlantic Coast,” says Head of Industry Development for Xodus Andy Logan. “The Roadmap will enable the state to chart the right path forward as a national leader in the energy industry and maximize the economic opportunity presented by the growth of offshore wind market.”

The Center for Planning Excellence (CPEX), a statewide non-profit, will also support LDENR in a consulting capacity developing the Offshore Wind Roadmap, integrating resident and stakeholder input leveraging their long-term planning and public outreach experience.

Embedded in Louisiana for the past 36 years, Jacobs has delivered over $3.5 billion in infrastructure projects, many being first-of-their-kind projects and programs and has delivered similar offshore wind roadmaps in the U.S. and Australia. In partnership with the state, Jacobs was instrumental in leading and developing Louisiana's first Comprehensive Master Plan for a Sustainable Coast (Coastal Master Plan). The Offshore Wind Roadmap is expected to take approximately 18–24 months to complete.