Equinor has filed a civil suit in the US District Court for the District of Columbia challenging the order that has paused construction on five offshore wind projects, including its Empire Wind 1, which is over 60% complete.
Empire Offshore Wind LLC, an Equinor subsidiary, initiated the lawsuit on 2 January. The company seeks a preliminary injunction to continue construction while the case proceeds.
“Empire continues to collaborate with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and other authorities to resolve the issue swiftly. In Equinor’s view, the order is unlawful and jeopardizes ongoing work. The injunction is crucial to proceed with the project during this critical phase and prevent further financial impacts,” stated Equinor in a press release.
Equinor aligns with Dominion Energy and the Ørsted-Skyborn Renewables joint venture in challenging the stop-work order from the US Department of the Interior (DOI) issued on 22 December, impacting projects in advanced construction stages, such as Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) and Revolution Wind.
Further Reading
The 810 MW Empire Wind 1 has an agreement with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to supply electricity to New York, marking it as the first offshore wind farm connected to New York City’s grid.
The DOI’s order aims to review “national security risks identified by the Department of War in recently completed classified reports,” prompting Equinor to highlight its compliance with national security requirements since leasing the Empire Wind site in 2017. The company maintains regular meetings with security oversight officials, including the U.S. Coast Guard.
Equinor reports an investment of over USD 4 billion (approx. EUR 3.4 billion) in Empire Wind Offshore Wind LLC, with USD 2.7 billion (approx. EUR 2.3 billion) drawn under project financing. As of 30 September 2025, Empire Wind holds a gross book value of around USD 3.1 billion (approx. EUR 2.7 billion), including the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal (SBMT) in Sunset Park, slated for hosting the project’s operations and maintenance facility. The construction phase has employed nearly 4,000 individuals.
Previously, the 810 MW project faced a construction halt when the Trump administration took office, with work resuming in May 2025 after a stop-work order was lifted. Similar challenges were later encountered by Ørsted and Skyborn with their Revolution Wind project.
Situated 25-48 kilometers (15-30 miles) southeast of Long Island, Empire Wind 1 will feature 54 Vestas 15 MW wind turbines and is expected to produce its first power by late 2026, with full commissioning in 2027.
Original Story at www.offshorewind.biz