Equinor’s Empire Wind project to restart after US policy shift

Empire Offshore Wind, a subsidiary of Equinor, has been notified by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) of the US Department of the Interior that the stop-work order for its Empire Wind project has been lifted.

The decision comes after discussions with regulators and officials at federal, state and local levels, allowing construction activities to recommence.

The Empire Wind project, which had been halted since 16 April 2025, is expected to power half a million homes from 2027.

Equinor CEO Anders Opedal stated: “We appreciate the fact that construction can now resume on Empire Wind, a project which underscores our commitment to deliver energy while supporting local economies and creating jobs.”

Equinor acquired the Empire Wind lease during Trump’s first term in 2017. In 2023, former President Joe Biden approved the 810MW project, which uses Vestas wind turbines. The project is currently 30% complete.

Equinor will conduct a revised evaluation of the project’s financial viability in the second quarter of 2025.

Empire intends to carry out its planned activities during the offshore installation window in 2025 and achieve its targeted commercial operation date in 2027.

It will collaborate with suppliers and regulatory authorities to mitigate the effects of the stop work order.

Equinor Wind US president Molly Morris stated: “This project delivers on the energy ambitions shared by the US and New York by providing a vital new source of power to the region. Empire Wind brings supply chain investments in states across the nation, including New York, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Texas and South Carolina.”

The US administration lifted the month-old order on the project as part of a compromise with the state, which may lead to the revival of previously cancelled plans for the proposed Constitution natural gas pipeline, as reported by Reuters.

The lifting of the stop-work order has broader implications for the US investment climate, as it alleviates concerns about the security of fully permitted developments.

Equinor had cautioned that it could incur losses amounting to billions of dollars due to the order, which raised concerns regarding fully permitted developments that represent billions in investments.

The company had been spending $50m weekly to sustain the project during the suspension.

The industry has welcomed the lifting of the stop-work order as a step towards significant investment and job creation in the sector.

The US currently has four offshore wind farms operating and four under construction, including Empire Wind.