US Court Authorizes Resumption of Orsted’s Revolution Wind Offshore Project
A federal judge lifted the suspension imposed by the Trump administration on the Revolution Wind offshore wind farm, which is 87% complete. Orsted and its partner Skyborn Renewables can resume work on this $5 billion project.
| Countries | Allemagne, Danemark, États-Unis |
|---|---|
| Companies | Skyborn Renewables, Orsted, Global Infrastructure Partners |
| Sector | Énergie Éolienne |
| Theme | Risques & Événements |
Federal Judge Royce Lamberth, sitting in Washington, authorized the resumption of construction on the Revolution Wind offshore wind farm, developed by Danish group Orsted off the northeastern coast of the United States. This preliminary ruling temporarily invalidates the suspension order issued in late December by the Trump administration concerning major offshore wind projects. The US administration had justified this measure by citing national security threats, without providing further details.
A Project 87% Complete
According to documents filed by Orsted with the court, the Revolution Wind project is 87% complete. All grid connection infrastructure is reportedly finished, with only a few turbines remaining to be installed. The Danish group states it has invested or reserved more than $5 billion for this project, which began construction in August 2023. Once operational, the wind farm is expected to power more than 350,000 homes in Rhode Island and Connecticut, with commissioning planned for 2026.
Revolution Wind is a joint venture owned equally by Orsted and Skyborn Renewables, a German offshore wind specialist. The latter is a subsidiary of US investment firm Global Infrastructure Partners. In a statement, the group announced that the project would resume construction as soon as possible, while seeking to collaborate with the US government to find a lasting solution.
Legal Battle Over Offshore Wind
This decision comes amid a confrontation between the wind industry and the Trump administration. The US president signed an executive order in January 2025 prohibiting the issuance of new offshore installation permits in waters under federal jurisdiction. In early December, a federal judge in Massachusetts declared this executive order illegal. The government then escalated by ordering the suspension of all ongoing projects in late December.
Donald Trump has publicly displayed his hostility toward wind energy, calling it an economic and environmental disaster. He has also criticized the aesthetics of wind turbines and their alleged harm to whales. However, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has stated that no link has been established between offshore wind and cetacean deaths. Several studies also indicate that wind energy in the United States costs, on average, less than other sources such as coal, excluding public subsidies.
Sunrise Wind Also Contested
Orsted is developing another major project called Sunrise Wind, off Long Island. This wind farm, nearly 45% complete, is expected to power up to 600,000 homes in New York State and become operational in 2027. The Danish group has also initiated legal proceedings against the US government regarding this second project. The outcome of these disputes will determine the trajectory of American offshore wind, as the federal administration maintains its restrictive stance toward the sector.
