Trump Suspends Offshore Wind Leasing, Industry Faces Setbacks
On January 20, President Donald Trump temporarily halted new federal offshore wind leasing pending environmental and economic reviews. This move comes as Danish energy company Orsted, the leading offshore wind firm, reports an impairment charge on delays to an offshore project in the U.S.
These setbacks follow a period of optimism, as former President Joe Biden and several states viewed offshore wind as crucial for achieving clean energy targets. North Carolina Governor Josh Stein expressed concern, stating that halting offshore wind represents a significant setback for clean energy goals and economic opportunities.
Despite the federal pause, California remains committed to offshore wind development, with plans to invest in port and power transmission upgrades. In New Jersey, Governor Phil Murphy emphasized his commitment to clean energy and exploring all options to protect the environment while fostering energy independence and economic growth.
Currently, there are four offshore wind projects operating in the U.S., with four more under construction and several in development. The following projects are expected to continue despite the review:
In Service:
| Project | State(s) | Company | Start Construction | First Power | Size (MW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Block Island | RI | Orsted | 2016 | 29 |
| Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Pilot | VA | Dominion | 2020 | 12 |
| South Fork | RI, MA | Orsted (50%) and GIP Skyborn Renewables (50%) | Feb 2022 | Dec 2023 | 132 |
| Vineyard Wind 1 | MA | Iberdrola/CIP | Nov 2021 | Jan 2024 | 806 |
Under Construction:
| Project | State(s) | Company | Start Construction | First Power (Estimated) | Size (MW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revolution Wind | RI, MA | Orsted (50%) and GIP Skyborn Renewables (50%) | 2023 | 2026 | 704 |
| Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (Commercial) | VA | Dominion (50%)/Stonepeak (50%) | Nov 2023 | 2026 | 2,587 |
| Empire Wind 1 | NY | Equinor | May 2024 | 2027 | 810 |
| Sunrise Wind | RI, MA | Orsted | Jul 2024 | 2026 | 924 |
Under Development:
| Project | State(s) | Company | Start Construction (Estimated) | First Power (Estimated) | Size (MW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New England Wind 1 | MA | Iberdrola | 2025 | 2029 | 791 |
| SouthCoast Wind 1 | MA | Ocean Winds (EDP/Engie) | late 2025 | 2030 | 1,287 |
| Community Offshore Wind 1 | NY, NJ | RWE/National Grid | 2027 | 2030 | 1,314 |
| MarWin | MD | US Wind (Renexia) | 270 |
| Atlantic Shores South 1 | NJ | EDF/Shell | 1,510 |
| Momentum Wind | MD | US Wind (Renexia) | 809 |
| Excelsior Wind | NY, NJ | CIP's Vineyard Offshore | 1,314 |
| Leading Light | NY, NJ | Invenergy/energyRE | 2,400 |
| Vineyard Wind 2 | MA | CIP's Vineyard Offshore | 1,200 |
| Community Offshore Wind 2 | NY, NJ | RWE/National Grid | 1,300 |
| New England Wind 2 | MA | Iberdrola | 1,080 |
| Empire Wind 1 - 2027 | NY | Equinor | 2027+ | 810 |