The Trump administration has ordered a stop to construction of the Revolution Wind project, an offshore wind farm located 15 miles south of Rhode Island. The directive was issued in a letter from Matthew Giacona, acting director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), to developer Ørsted. The order cited the need to “address concerns related to the protection of national security interests of the United States.” The project is also being developed in partnership with Global Infrastructure Partners.
In April 2025, the Trump administration issued a stop-work order on the Empire Wind 1 offshore project, halting construction off the coast of New York. The order, signed on April 16, 2025 by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, claimed that the project’s approvals had been rushed and required further review. The suspension dealt a major blow to Equinor, the project’s developer, and immediately stalled offshore construction activity.
The halt lasted for about one month, with operations resuming in mid-May 2025 after mounting political pressure and negotiations
Part of Wider Crackdown on Renewables
The decision is the latest in a series of policy moves that have slowed U.S. renewable energy expansion. President Trump, a vocal critic of wind energy, issued a moratorium on new offshore wind projects earlier this year. Atlantic Shores another offshore wind project has thrown in the towel due to the adverse environment.
The Internal Revenue Service has also tightened guidelines that make it more difficult for developers of wind and solar facilities to qualify for federal tax incentives. At the same time, the Commerce Department is investigating whether imports of wind turbines and related components pose a national security risk.
Ørsted’s Response and Industry Concerns
Ørsted has stated it is “evaluating all options to resolve the matter expeditiously,” including possible legal action. Construction of Revolution Wind began in 2023, with plans to deliver electricity to households and businesses in Rhode Island and Connecticut by 2026.
Industry leaders have expressed concern over the decision’s broader impact. Erik Milito, president of the National Ocean Industries Association, warned that delays could ripple across jobs, contracts, and communities that are already benefiting from the project. He emphasized that the U.S. currently has only one fully operational large-scale offshore wind farm, far below what is needed to meet the nation’s growing energy demands.
Potential Impact on Energy Markets
Analysts caution that limiting renewable energy development at a time of rising electricity demand could contribute to higher power prices nationwide. With the country pushing for energy diversification, stakeholders argue that offshore wind, alongside oil, gas, and emerging technologies, is critical for long-term energy security.
Revolution Wind Project Factsheet
Project Overview
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Name: Revolution Wind
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Type: Offshore wind farm (first multi-state project in the U.S.)
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Capacity: 704 MW
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400 MW to Rhode Island
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304 MW to Connecticut
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Powering over 350,000 homes
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Emissions Offset: Avoids over 1 million metric tons of CO₂ annually—equivalent to removing about 150,000 cars from the road
Location
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Federal Waters: Approximately 15 miles south of the Rhode Island coast, 32 miles southeast of Connecticut, and 12 miles southwest of Martha’s Vineyard
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Lease Area: BOEM’s OCS-A 0486; separated from a larger lease area in 2020
Development Partners
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Developers: Ørsted and Global Infrastructure Partners (Skyborn Renewables)
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History: Initially partnered with Eversource, which exited ownership in 2024
Technology & Infrastructure
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Turbines: 65 Siemens Gamesa 11 MW (11.0-200 DD)
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Transmission: Subsea cables to Quonset Business Park (Rhode Island), then underground to the Davisville substation and into the regional grid
Timeline & Permitting
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Environmental Review: Draft EIS released in August 2022; Final EIS and Joint Record of Decision signed in August 2023 by BOEM, NMFS, and USACE
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Construction: Began in 2023
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First Turbine Installed: September 2024
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Target Commercial Operation Date (COD): 2026
