News Summary

The Empire Wind offshore wind project in New York will resume construction after the U.S. government lifted a stop-work order. This decision allows Equinor to continue its investment, which is aimed at providing power to over 500,000 homes. With the resumption, around 1,500 construction jobs are expected to be preserved. The Empire Wind project is crucial for New York’s clean energy goals, targeting significant renewable energy contributions by 2030, including ambitious offshore wind capacity plans.

New York: Equinor’s Empire Wind Project Resumes After U.S. Government Lifts Stop-Work Order

The Empire Wind offshore wind project in New York is set to resume after the U.S. government lifted a stop-work order, allowing Equinor to continue construction that will eventually provide power to over 500,000 homes. This decision follows a lengthy pause initiated under the previous administration, which raised concerns about regulatory changes and the impact on construction timelines.

Equinor, which has invested more than $2.5 billion into the Empire Wind project, reported a $955 million impairment on the project, attributing this to U.S. tariffs and uncertainties under former President Trump’s presidency. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management notified Equinor about the resumption of work on Monday, after the stop-work order, initially implemented by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, was lifted due to his concerns regarding expedited approvals during President Biden’s administration.

Equinor’s CEO Anders Opedal expressed appreciation for the decision to move forward, which is expected to preserve about 1,500 construction jobs. The project is currently one-third complete, having taken seven years to obtain necessary permits. The completion of Empire Wind is aligned with New York’s ambitious clean energy goals, aiming for 70% of its electricity needs to be met by renewable sources by 2030, including a target of 9 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity by 2035.

Governor Kathy Hochul emphasized the significance of this project for both New York’s clean energy future and job creation within the state. The Empire Wind project not only promises to bolster local employment but also aims to enhance the state’s renewable energy output. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer also heralded the lifting of the stop-work order, highlighting its potential positive impact on Long Island’s economy and environment.

Offshore wind energy has been successfully harnessed in Europe and Asia, but projects in the U.S. have grappled with high costs and prolonged permitting processes. Under Trump’s administration, the approach toward renewable energy faced criticism, as he prioritized fossil fuels, which included halting offshore wind lease sales and permits. Although claims were made about potential threats to wildlife from offshore wind development, no credible links have been established between these renewable projects and marine wildlife mortality.

Equinor warned earlier this month that it was nearing the point of abandoning the Empire Wind project if the stop-work order was not lifted, incurring costs of up to $50 million per week due to the delay. The federal government had approved the construction and operations plan for Empire Wind back in February 2024, paving the way for its resumption.

Currently, the state does receive wind energy from the South Fork, a 12-turbine offshore wind farm that became operational a year ago. This project represents a crucial step toward reinforcing New York’s commitment to renewable energy, as advocates welcomed the recent decision to allow construction on Empire Wind to restart. The construction of the Empire Wind project underscores not just the state’s ambitions in renewable energy but also offers a potential model for future projects across the country as the nation strives to increase its focus on clean energy initiatives.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• Reuters: Equinor makes $955 million US offshore wind writedown
• Wikipedia: Equinor
• MSN: Blaming Trump, Equinor makes $955 million US offshore wind writedown
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Offshore Wind Farm
• Upstream: Equinor results impacted by offshore wind impairments
• Google Search: Offshore wind projects in the US
• The Guardian: Equinor may take legal action after Trump administration halted US windfarm plan
• Google Search: Trump administration renewable energy policy