Equinor to resume work at Empire Wind

Construction can resume on Equinor’s Empire Wind project as the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management lifts its stop-work order, the company said Monday evening.

The sudden reversal of the April 16 order is a reprieve for the 810-megawatt project off New York, just days after Equinor officials warned they would have to shut down Empire Wind at 30% complete if the Trump administration did not relent.

"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," Anders Opedal, president and CEO of Equinor ASA, said in the statement issued around 6:45 p.m. Eastern time.

“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.,” Opedal said, crediting New York State officials for helping to bridge the impasse.

“I am grateful to Governor Hochul for her constructive collaboration with the Trump Administration, without which we would not have been able to advance this project and secure energy for 500 000 homes in New York,” Opedal said. “We are very appreciative of New York City Mayor Adams, congressional leaders including Senator Schumer, Senator Gillibrand, Representative Garbarino, and Representative Goldman, as well as labor groups and other advocates that have maintained their steadfast support for the project.”

Dating back to a federal offshore lease at the apex of the New York Bight obtained in 2017, Empire Wind was one of the early U.S. offshore wind projects and a flagship for New York’s renewable energy ambitions. It’s been a longtime target of wind energy critics, including commercial fishermen and seaside resort communities, who pushed anew for blocking it after President Donald Trump’s inauguration Jan. 20.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum appeared to satisfy those demands with the April 16 stop-work order. Offshore wind advocacy groups – and their allies in energy and maritime – have pushed back, arguing Norway-based Equinor and its Empire Wind economic impact spreads across other U.S. states.

“I would like to thank the Norwegian Prime Minister Støre and Minister of Finance Stoltenberg for their support at a critical time, and that the Minister of Finance raised the situation with the U.S. administration,” Opedal said.

 "This project delivers on the energy ambitions shared by the United States 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," said Molly Morris, president of Equinor Wind US.

The turnaround enraged offshore wind opponents, who hailed Trump's early orders for reviewing permits and approvals granted while the prior Biden administration charged ahead to advance projects.

"What happened to 'Promises Made, Promises Kept?'" the group Protect Our Coast demanded in a Monday evening posting on social media.

"President Trump reinstated the legal duty to protect fishing, navigation, and other American uses of the ocean. That means Empire Wind should have been stopped. So why is the Trump administration lifting the stop work order & STILL letting this foreign government project advance? We deserve to know who’s really in charge, the American people or a foreign government?"

"We DEMAND answers."

In a prepared statement Equinor officials said they “will perform an updated assessment of the project economics in the second quarter. Empire aims to be able to execute planned activities in the offshore installation window in 2025 and reach its planned commercial operation date in 2027. Empire will engage with suppliers and regulatory bodies to reduce the impact of the stop work order.”

Industry supporters expressed relief at the surprise announcement. Whether it's a real change or a fleeting policy whiplash, it's a break now for the fledging U.S. offshore wind industry that seemed to be headed for a beating.

“After more than a month of uncertainty, America is back on track with an Above All Energy approach—one that puts thousands of skilled workers back on the job, reignites construction in our nation’s shipyards, and sends mariners back to sea," said Liz Burdock, president and CEO of the industry nonprofit Oceantic Network. 

"This moment marks a critical step forward in securing the nation’s energy future and underscores the real, hands-on work building out America’s energy infrastructure to meet rising electricity demand," said Burdock. "It’s a win for workers, for the industry—and for the companies in places like Louisiana, South Carolina, and Pennsylvania helping build projects in the Northeast." 

 "We thank leaders at every level of government who worked tirelessly to resolve the issues and help resume construction of Empire Wind 1. We are deeply grateful to Governor Kathy Hochul, whose unwavering commitment and leadership ensured that offshore wind—the largest energy infrastructure effort in the last 50 years and a cornerstone of New York’s economy—never lost momentum. America is moving forward. Let’s get to work.”

“We appreciate the Trump administration’s swift review of the Empire Wind project and engagement with state and local governments and other stakeholders,” said Erik Milito, president of the National Ocean Industries Association. “Lifting the stop work order underscores the project’s critical role in safely advancing American energy, shipbuilding, workforce development, and economic growth.”

"The administration is clearing the way for major investments to move forward—activating American shipyards, creating high-quality jobs, and accelerating the buildout of infrastructure needed to deliver reliable, domestic energy to the East Coast. With power demand surging due to AI, data centers, and advanced manufacturing, offshore wind is an important part of an all-of-the-above solution. Companies throughout the supply chain - from Louisiana to Texas to New York - will be able to see the return on their investments."

Doreen Harris, president and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, said preserving New York's union jobs went into the calculus  

"The restoration of Empire Wind 1 secures jobs for more than 1,500 construction workers, drives economic development, and advances one of the largest energy infrastructure undertakings in the past 50 years to deliver reliable, locally produced energy to New Yorkers," Harris said. "Offshore wind remains a once-in-a-generation opportunity to power our future and a vital part of New York’s resilient and diverse energy portfolio.”