Offshore Wind in Turmoil: The Halt of Revolution Wind

In late August 2025, the U.S. Department of the Interior ordered a stop to construction on the Revolution Wind offshore project, located 24 km south of Rhode Island. The £1.1bn ($1.5bn) scheme was designed to deliver 704 MW of renewable energy, enough to power approximately 350,000 homes across Connecticut and Rhode Island. At the time of suspension, 45 of the planned 65 turbines were already installed. The halt was justified on grounds of national security and maritime activity concerns, though developers describe the directive as “arbitrary and capricious.” Orsted, alongside the two states, has now filed lawsuits to overturn the order.

The suspension has broad economic consequences. Orsted’s share price has fallen by nearly 40% this year, and a DKr60 billion rights issue was approved to stabilize finances. The case highlights wider risks for offshore wind in the U.S., where multiple projects face similar scrutiny. SouthCoast Wind and New England Wind 1 and 2, led by European developers, are now at risk of losing permits. This uncertainty affects investors, supply chains, and infrastructure commitments, including $679 million worth of cancelled federal offshore wind initiatives.

From an engineering perspective, halting a project of this scale mid-construction presents significant challenges. Installed turbines and subsea foundations require continuous monitoring to prevent degradation, while uncompleted structures raise logistical and safety concerns. Civil and marine contractors are left with idle assets, and ongoing stabilization works in the offshore environment increase costs with no clear timeline for resumption. The outcome of this legal dispute will set an important precedent for offshore wind projects across the United States.