AVONDALE, La. – On Nov. 10, the Center for Planning Excellence, a Louisiana-based nonprofit, brought leaders from across the state to tour the Avondale Global Gateway and Delgado Community College Advanced Manufacturing Site. The cohort consisted of local elected officials, state legislators, industry experts and economic development leaders who are promoting clean energy opportunities for Louisiana.
T. Parker Host, Avondale’s owner, said participants saw firsthand how the facility is “strategically positioned to support this burgeoning industry.”
The tour, part of the CPEX PowerUp Louisiana initiative, included a stop at the workspace of Gulf Wind Technology, an Avondale tenant that is developing wind turbine technology for deployment in the Gulf of Mexico.
“Offshore wind presents exciting opportunities for Louisiana – and leadership and vision are critical to seizing those opportunities,” said Camille Manning-Broome, president and CEO of the Center for Planning Excellence, in a press release.
Tour attendees included legislators Sen. Royce Duplessis, Sen. Mark Abraham, Rep. Jerome Zeringue and Sen. Mike Reese. Other industry advocates in attendance were Michael Celata with BOEM, Jenny Netherton of the Southeastern Wind Coalition, Abbeville Mayor Roslyn White, Blake Canfield with the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, Ashley Shelton with the Power Coalition, and Richert Self with the Port of Lake Charles.
“While visiting Gulf Wind Technology and the Shell Gulf Wind Accelerator, visitors delved into the intricacies of wind blade development and manufacturing,” said an Avondale spokesperson. “The wind-harnessing technology being developed at AGG is poised to be a driving force behind the rapidly expanding wind energy sector in Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico, combining industry expertise and proximity to one of the most significant sources of untapped wind energy in the world.”
Also at the event, panelists discussed the importance of investing in the state’s educational system to cultivate the workforce required for the offshore wind industry.
“Host is pleased to host our partners at PowerUp Louisiana,” said Adam Anderson, the maritime company’s CEO and president, at the event. “We share the joint mission of bringing significant economic development and prosperity to south Louisiana and these conversations are important to furthering our goals.”
Avondale has been in the news since January, when the Port of South Louisiana announced plans to buy the site from Host. In October, the port announced that it would delay its plan to ask the State Bond Commission to issue $400 million in bonds needed for the purchase.
Avondale Global Gateway, the former site of Avondale Shipyard, boasts hundreds of acres of laydown and manufacturing space — plus inland connections to major rail lines, roadways and the Mississippi River.
“Louisiana’s homegrown expertise coupled with newly available federal resources comprise a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to recalibrate what it means for Louisiana to be an energy state,” said Manning-Broome of CPEX. “Driven by a vision of a thriving, future-ready Louisiana, offshore wind development can diversify our energy portfolio, create more economic opportunity, advance our climate goals, and empower communities to share in the benefits of leading in the energy industry. Key steps for achieving this vision will include investing in our manufacturing capacity, empowering our workforce and communities to have a voice in planning the future of offshore wind, and creating a policy environment that clearly signals that Louisiana is open for the business of renewable energy.”
