NEW ORLEANS — Offshore wind energy experts have descended on New Orleans for an industry event happening now through April 25 at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
Making its New Orleans debut, Oceantic Network’s International Partnering Forum will feature appearances from U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy David Turk and other international energy experts.
Oceantic Network describes itself as a “member-based organization dedicated to growing the offshore wind and other ocean renewable industries and their supply chains and supporting its diverse interests and people.”
Michael J. Sawaya, Convention Center president and CEO, said the event is capitalizing on the city’s “close proximity to Louisiana ports, businesses and universities on the cutting edge of the renewable energy frontier.”
“Hosting IPF for the first time reflects the powerful draw Louisiana’s energy industry has world-wide, coupled with in-person forums the Convention Center is proud to attract and facilitate,” Sawaya said. “Events hosted at the Convention Center are often exchanges of ideas that ultimately impact our lives, our economy and, in this case, the future of energy worldwide.”
The event includes tours of regional assets along with panels, a summit, forums and outreach with local high schools and emerging energy innovators.
“The Gulf Coast has been the supply chain engine of the offshore wind industry,” said Liz Burdock, CEO of Oceantic Network. “We’re excited to bring IPF to New Orleans to meet the companies that have helped enable the industry’s success. While the Gulf of Mexico’s offshore wind industry is just getting started, we’re confident in its future success and can’t wait to see it flourish.”
On Monday, April 22, the “Beach to Blade Tour: Offshore Wind Research and Innovation” tour will visit the Avondale Global Gateway to hear from leadership at Gulf Wind Technology, which is researching a turbine that could be deployed in the Gulf of Mexico.
See the event’s full agenda at oceantic.org.
