Construction of the 704 MW Revolution Wind offshore project, located about 15 miles south of Rhode Island, was suspended on 22 August after the US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) issued a stop‑work order, project developer Ørsted has confirmed.
The wind farm, a 50/50 venture between Ørsted and Skyborn Renewables, is 80% complete, with all foundations and 45 of 65 turbines installed.
Ørsted stressed that Revolution Wind is fully permitted, having secured all required federal and state approvals, including its Construction and Operations Plan approval letter following reviews that began more than nine years ago.
Revolution Wind has signed 20‑year power purchase agreements to deliver 400 MW of electricity to Rhode Island and 304 MW to Connecticut, helping the two states meet fast‑growing energy demand with renewable supply.
BOEM cited national security concerns for the halt but gave no further details. Ørsted said it is complying with the directive while exploring regulatory clarification and potential legal action in order to meet its target of commercial operation in 2026.
The move follows a similar order earlier this year on New York’s Empire Wind 1 project, which resumed only after state‑federal negotiations. Investors are now questioning whether Rhode Island and Connecticut can strike a comparable deal to restart work on Revolution Wind.
Ørsted is evaluating the potential financial implications of this development, considering a range of scenarios, including legal proceedings.
