US Lifts Stop Order Allowing Equinor Empire Wind Restart Off New York

Construction on Equinor's $5 billion Empire Wind 1 project off the coast of New York has resumed after the U.S. Department of the Interior lifted a stop work order that was issued in April. The pause, which threatened to halt the project at 30% completion and was costing Equinor $50 million a week, was reversed following efforts by New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Norwegian political leaders, with credits also given to President Trump and Interior Secretary Burgum for the decision. The Empire Wind project, aiming for commercial operation in 2027, is expected to power 500,000 homes and support thousands of American jobs and local economies. Equinor expressed gratitude to various U.S. political and labor leaders for their support during the stoppage. Despite the interruption, Equinor plans to continue its installation activities as scheduled in 2025 and will reassess the project's economics. The project is seen as a critical step in the U.S. offshore wind sector and renewable energy efforts, particularly amidst federal energy policy debates.