Trump-delayed offshore wind farm granted go-ahead

The US District Court for the District of Columbia has granted a preliminary injunction overturning a federal stop-work order on the nearly complete windfarm construction.

The order, issued under the Trump administration’s new energy policies, had threatened delays to one of the nation’s largest offshore wind developments.

Construction resuming

Revolution Wind, a 50/50 joint venture between Ørsted and Global Infrastructure Partners’ Skyborn Renewables, will restart impacted activities immediately with safety as the top priority.

The project is already 80% complete, with 100% of offshore foundations and around 70% of wind turbines installed. 

Revolution Wind has continually emphasised its compliance with regulations underlining that it secured all required federal and state permits in 2023, following reviews that began more than nine years ago.

The ongoing legal dispute underscores how US politics continue to shape the renewable energy sector.

Revolution Wind argues that Trump’s June executive order ending subsidies for foreign-controlled energy sources “lacks legal authority.”

Marine construction crews are now cleared to resume offshore work as the lawsuit proceeds, a decision widely viewed as a test case for future windfarm construction in shifting federal energy policy.

It’s good news for Ørsted, which has been experiencing tricky times following the scrapping of the 8GW Hornsea 4 windfarm off the east coast of northern England in May.

A positive outcome for the Revolution Wind project could also influence future investment confidence across America’s emerging offshore wind market.