Federal regulators have issued a stop-work order to the developer of an offshore wind project under construction off Rhode Island and Connecticut, to allow the agency to address concerns about national security and interference with reasonable uses of the ocean over the U.S. outer continental shelf. The developer says it is "evaluating all options to resolve the matter expeditiously". Meanwhile, the regional electric grid operator says that delaying the wind project's completion "will increase risks to reliability" and could harm New England's economic growth, including potential future data centers.
Revolution Wind, LLC is developing a 704-megawatt offshore wind farm about 15 nautical miles south of Point Judith, Rhode Island, about 12 miles southwest of Martha's Vineyard, and about 32 nautical miles southeast of Connecticut. The project is a 50/50 joint venture between Orsted and an affiliate of Global Infrastructure Partners. According to the developer, the project is fully permitted and started construction last year; project construction is now 80% complete, with all offshore foundations now in place, and 45 wind turbines installed (out of a total of 65). The project has 20-year power purchase agreements in place to deliver 400 MW of electricity to Rhode Island and 304 MW to Connecticut.
On August 22, 2025, BOEM's Acting Director Matthew Giacona issued a Director's Order to Revolution Wind, ordering it to halt all ongoing activities on the outer continental shelf related to the project. The order cites the January 20, 2025 Presidential Memorandum withdrawing all lands on the outer continental shelf from wind leasing, saying the agency needs time to address concerns during its review. Specifically, the order says "BOEM is seeking to address concerns related to the protection of national security interests of the United States and prevention of interference with reasonable uses of the exclusive economic zone, the high seas, and the territorial seas, as described in that subsection of OCSLA."
In a press release, Orsted said that it is evaluating all options to resolve the matter expeditiously. This includes engagement with relevant permitting agencies for any necessary clarification or resolution as well as through potential legal proceedings, with the aim being to proceed with continued project construction towards COD in the second half of 2026.
Regional electricity grid operator ISO New England issued a statement on August 25, expressing concerns that grid planning relies on the assumption that Revolution Wind will be online and producing power in 2026. According to ISO-NE, "Delaying the project will increase risks to reliability."
The remainder of the grid operator's statement is voiced generally, as opposed to project-specific. Citing rising demand for power and the need to maintain adequate generating capacity to meet demand, the grid operator noted that "delays in the availability of new resources will adversely affect New England’s economy and industrial growth, including potential future data centers." Moreover ISO-NE warned, "Unpredictable risks and threats to resources—regardless of technology—that have made significant capital investments, secured necessary permits, and are close to completion will stifle future investments, increase costs to consumers, and undermine the power grid’s reliability and the region’s economy now and in the future."
No comments:
Post a Comment