The US Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has directed Revolution Wind LLC, a joint venture of Ørsted and Global Infrastructure Partners’ Skyborn Renewables, to stop activities on the outer continental shelf related to the Revolution Wind project. Revolution Wind has begun implementing the order, suspending work while ensuring worker and environmental safety.
Offshore construction for the project began in 2024 after receiving final federal clearance. At present, the project is about 80 per cent complete, with all foundations installed and 45 out of 65 turbines installed. Ørsted is pursuing all options, including regulatory engagement and possible legal action, to resolve the issue and keep the project on track for COD in late 2026.
Revolution Wind holds all the required federal and state permits, including its construction and operations plan approval secured in November 2023 after a review process of more than nine years. It has 20-year power purchase agreements to supply 400 MW to Rhode Island and 304 MW to Connecticut.
REGlobal’s Views: The halting of construction of this offshore wind project, which is now 80 per cent complete already, has increased uncertainty for all stakeholder groups in the US offshore wind space. This order does not only impact the developers and investors but also grid planning of utilities and operators, who had expected the project to be online next year. The US offshore wind industry has already been facing headwinds owing to the slew of restrictive orders by the Trump administration, and this latest development will further dampen confidence of global players in this space.
