Key Points
- Trump Officials Greenlights Offshore Wind Project
- Equinor CEO Anders Oppedal thanked President Trump, Governor Kathy Hochul and U.S. political leaders.
- Empire Wind 1 is the first offshore wind project to directly supply electricity to New York City
- The project will benefit supply chains and jobs in New York, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Texas and South Carolina
- Equinor’s Empire Offshore Firm is part of a U.S. investment totaling $60 billion
- The project will provide clean energy to 500,000 homes
Offshore Wind Project Resumes Under Trump Order
In a surprising and significant move, the Trump administration has lifted the moratorium on Empire Wind 1 — a $5 billion offshore wind project led by Empire Offshore Wind LLC, a subsidiary of Equinor ASA. The green light marks a turning point in U.S. energy development, and is a rare moment of bipartisan alignment to advance clean energy infrastructure.
Norway-based Equinor will be able to resume construction after more than five weeks of costly delays. The move comes after months of intense opposition from industry leaders, state officials and clean energy advocates who warned that the moratorium would threaten more than 1,500 union jobs, billions in investments and America’s clean energy future.
Equinor Empire Wind ‘Back on Track’
Initially suspended by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum in April 2025 over concerns about the approval process, the project has now been reinstated after intense negotiations with 17 state and federal officials, along with more than 10 prominent environmentalists. Following a lawsuit against the Trump Executive Order, the Interior Department’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has officially lifted the offshore wind moratorium, allowing construction to resume on New York’s first offshore wind farm that will directly power the city of New York.
Equinor CEO Anders Oppedal expressed gratitude for the decision, crediting President Trump, Governor Kathy Hochul and other local leaders for reviving the project and their collaborative efforts. “Construction can now resume on Empire Wind, a project that highlights our commitment to supporting the local economy while also providing energy and creating jobs,” said Oppedal.
” Construction can now resume on Empire Wind, a project that highlights our commitment to supporting the local economy while also providing energy and creating jobs”
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Power Delivery Progress: 810 MW for NYC
Empire Wind 1 is a key component of New York’s renewable energy future. With 54 turbines planned – each up to 910 feet tall – the project is designed to generate 810 megawatts of clean electricity, enough to power 500,000 homes. More than 30% of the project is already complete, with $2.5 billion invested to date.
Molly Morris, President of Equinor Wind US, noted the project’s broad economic benefits: “Empire Wind brings investment to supply chains in states across the country, including New York, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Texas and South Carolina.
” Empire Wind brings investment to supply chains in states across the country, including New York, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Texas and South Carolina.”
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Trump Officials Planned Compromise
President Donald Trump has been a vocal critic of wind power since his inauguration — calling the turbines bird killers and an economic burden — and his decision to lift the moratorium on Empire Wind signals a planned shift that comes alongside an apparent backchannel deal to renegotiate pipeline capacity for natural gas. Yet his decision signals a broader energy compromise.
Burgum, in a social media statement, hinted at natural gas development as a condition: “Americans living in New York and New England will see significant economic benefits and lower utility costs from increased access to clean American natural gas.”
“Americans living in New York and New England will see significant economic benefits and lower utility costs from increased access to clean American natural gas.”
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However, Governor Hochul reiterated his commitment to clean energy without directly mentioning any fossil fuel exemptions. “New York will work with the administration and private companies on new energy projects that meet legal requirements,” he said.
“New York will work with the administration and private companies on new energy projects that meet legal requirements,”
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Empire Wind Construction Status
Empire Wind’s resurgence comes amid a growing momentum for offshore wind projects on the U.S. East Coast. Other major developments, including Revolution Wind, Sunrise Wind and Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, are also moving forward, with Revolution Wind about 75% complete.
Despite numerous political headwinds, obstacles and regulatory uncertainty, offshore wind has secured its place in America’s energy mix. Equinor aims to complete Empire Wind 1 by 2027. Despite fierce opposition from the U.S. government, Empire Wind has come back online in the face of a grassroots movement, and the winds of change are once again blowing in favor of clean, renewable energy.
Conclusion: New York Wind Project Transition
The latest halt to the Empire Wind project marks a pivotal moment for U.S. Green energy development, where political coordination and economic coordination are intertwined. Because
Despite the opposition, a complex but potentially promising shift in the energy narrative under the Trump administration is creating a mix of economic benefits, job creation, and infrastructure growth. With construction now underway, the project not only reinforces Equinor’s commitment to clean energy but also demonstrates the growing national momentum behind offshore wind.
