The Trump administration has lifted a stop-work order on Equinor’s Empire Wind project, allowing construction to resume after a month-long suspension that cost the developer an estimated $50 million per week. The decision marks a critical reversal in U.S. offshore wind policy and a reprieve for an industry rattled by regulatory uncertainty.
The project, located 15 to 30 miles southeast of Long Island, is being developed by Norwegian energy company Equinor. Once completed, it is expected to deliver 810 megawatts of clean electricity — enough to power approximately 500,000 New York homes. With a total price tag of $5 billion, Empire Wind 1 would be the first offshore wind facility to directly supply power to New York City.
A Sudden Halt — And A Rapid Turnaround
On April 16, U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum ordered Equinor to halt all work on the Empire Wind project, citing insufficient environmental analysis in the Biden administration’s 2023 approval. “The previous administration pushed through the project without adequate analysis or consultation,” Burgum stated in a memo obtained by the Washington Free Beacon. He echoed the criticism in a post on X, saying the suspension would remain “until further review.”
The unexpected pause sent shockwaves through the offshore wind sector, raising concerns about the security of fully permitted, multi-billion-dollar developments. Equinor warned that delays could result in billions in losses.
Now, after pressure from both U.S. and foreign officials, the order has been reversed. “I would like to thank President Trump for finding a solution that saves thousands of American jobs and provides for continued investments in energy infrastructure in the U.S.,” Equinor CEO Anders Opedal said in a statement.
He also credited Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere and Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg, who raised the issue during recent meetings with U.S. leadership. New York Governor Kathy Hochul also played a key role in helping to restart the project, according to Opedal.
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Financial and Political Context
Equinor originally acquired the offshore lease for Empire Wind during Trump’s first term in 2017. The project was formally approved by the Biden administration in 2023, and the company secured over $3 billion in financing in 2024. A 25-year Purchase and Sale Agreement was signed with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) in June 2024.
The brief suspension came just months after President Trump, upon returning to office, issued a day-one executive order calling for a sweeping review of all offshore wind activity on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf. While the order didn’t cancel existing leases, it opened the door for delays, amendments, or even terminations.
Critics of the Empire Wind project welcomed the pause. “This order directly results from officials rushing the project through the approval process without proper analysis or coordination with the affected agencies,” said Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ), who had raised concerns about the project’s environmental review.
Next Steps for Empire Wind
Equinor said the project is currently about 30% complete. Offshore installation is now expected to begin in 2025, with commercial operations targeted for 2027 — consistent with earlier plans, despite the delay. The company will conduct an updated economic assessment in the second quarter. And continue working with suppliers and regulators to mitigate the effects of the month-long suspension.
Empire Wind will use turbines manufactured by Vestas (VWS.CO), and remains one of the most significant offshore wind initiatives in U.S. history — both in scale and symbolic value.
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Empire Wind Resumes Construction: Project Factsheet
Project Overview
Name: Empire Wind 1
Developer: Equinor (Norwegian energy company)
Location: 15-30 miles southeast of Long Island
Capacity: 810 megawatts
Homes Powered: ~500,000 New York homes
Total Investment: $5 billion
Significance: First offshore wind facility to directly supply New York City
Recent Developments
Trump administration lifted month-long suspension on May 2025
Work stoppage had cost Equinor ~$50M weekly
Project now approximately 30% complete
Offshore installation expected to begin 2025
Commercial operations targeted for 2027
Empire Wind Project History
Lease acquired by Equinor in 2017 (during Trump’s first term)
Formally approved by Biden administration in 2023
$3B+ in financing secured in 2024
25-year Purchase Agreement signed with NYSERDA in June 2024
Temporary suspension ordered April 16, 2025
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