Key Points:
- BOEM halted Revolution Wind near Rhode Island over national security concerns.
- 80% of the project was done, with 45 of 65 turbines installed.
- The stop-work order affects only Revolution Wind, not other offshore projects.
Construction on a large offshore wind project off the coast of Rhode Island has been suspended following a stop-work order issued by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM).
The project, known as Revolution Wind, is being developed by Danish energy company Orsted and was nearing completion when the order arrived. According to the developer, approximately 80 percent of the project had been built, including the installation of 45 of its planned 65 turbines.
BOEM’s order, signed Friday by acting director Matthew Giacona, cited national security concerns as the reason for halting construction. The letter did not provide further details about the nature of those concerns or indicate how long the review might last.
Orsted Response and Project Details
In a statement, Orsted confirmed it had paused construction in accordance with the order. The company said it is assessing its options and awaiting guidance from federal authorities before determining next steps.
Revolution Wind, located about 15 miles south of Rhode Island’s coastline, was designed to generate enough power to supply approximately 350,000 homes in Rhode Island and Connecticut. The wind farm includes 65 turbines, transmission cables, and associated onshore infrastructure to connect the electricity to regional power grids.
Work has been underway for several years, with onshore and offshore construction activities staged out of multiple facilities. Orsted built a manufacturing plant in Providence to produce turbine foundations and partnered with a port facility in New London, Connecticut, for turbine assembly and transport to the offshore site. The company has also employed local construction unions to support assembly and installation.
The project had been expected to begin operations in 2026, doubling Rhode Island’s renewable energy supply upon completion.
Scope of the Halt
The stop-work order applies only to Revolution Wind. Other offshore wind projects currently under construction in federal waters, including Vineyard Wind and Empire Wind, are not affected.
While the details of the security review have not been disclosed, the suspension affects the final stages of the Revolution Wind buildout. Installation of additional turbines, cabling, and testing cannot proceed until BOEM completes its review and provides further instructions.
Orsted has not released a revised construction timeline and has not indicated whether the halt will impact the projected operational start date.
Offshore Wind in the Region
Revolution Wind is part of a growing cluster of offshore wind projects along the U.S. East Coast. Offshore wind farms require coordination with federal agencies to address potential impacts on marine life, shipping lanes, aviation, and national defense.
Projects of this scale typically undergo environmental and technical reviews before construction begins. BOEM’s recent order introduces an additional step in the process for Revolution Wind, though no public details have been shared regarding the specific security concerns under consideration.
For now, construction remains on hold as the developer and federal regulators work through the review process. The timeline for resuming activity at the site remains uncertain.
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