12 miles southwest of Aquinnah, Massachusetts (federal waters), August 25, 2025
News Summary
A federal agency has ordered an immediate stop to construction on the Revolution Wind offshore project about 12 miles southwest of Aquinnah after the project reached roughly 80 percent completion. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management issued a stop-work letter as part of a department review tied to an executive order, citing national security and exclusive economic zone concerns. The 65-turbine, 704-megawatt project, owned by Ørsted and Eversource and using Siemens Gamesa turbines, is now paused while agencies and the developer assess legal, financial and operational next steps amid industry and local reactions.
Federal Agency Orders Stop to Nearly Finished Offshore Wind Project 12 Miles Off Aquinnah
What happened: A federal agency has ordered an immediate halt to construction on the Revolution Wind offshore project located about 12 miles southwest of Aquinnah. The work stoppage came after the project was roughly 80 percent complete and followed a department review tied to a recent executive order about offshore energy permits and national security concerns.
Key facts up front
- The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) issued a stop-work letter to the Revolution Wind team.
- Revolution Wind is planned as a 65-turbine, 704-megawatt installation, with turbines about 873 feet tall.
- The turbines in this project are manufactured by Siemens Gamesa, and the project is owned jointly by Ørsted and Eversource; Ørsted holds a 50 percent stake.
- Ørsted reported compliance with BOEM’s order and said it is assessing next steps, including possible legal action and financial impacts.
Why the halt was ordered
Acting BOEM leadership said the pause is needed to allow the agency to address concerns that came up during a department review. The review traces back to an executive order signed early in the current administration that paused new permitting and ordered a broad look at existing leases and projects. BOEM cited the need to protect national security interests and to prevent interference with the exclusive economic zone, the high seas, and territorial seas.
Project status and technical details
Construction had reached an advanced stage, with the first turbine installation completed in the week leading up to the stop order. Revolution Wind’s turbines are set to supply power to Rhode Island and Connecticut, with commercial operation expected to begin in 2026. The project uses Siemens Gamesa turbines, different from models used in other recent incidents, and was approved by BOEM last year.
Federal reviews and wider government moves
The Department of Commerce recently launched an investigation into how importing wind turbine parts could affect national security. That inquiry is examining whether U.S. manufacturers could meet demand, potential trade effects, and theoretical risks such as how components might be misused by foreign actors. Those broader reviews and the executive order have placed added scrutiny on offshore wind activity nationwide.
Industry and political reactions
The stop-work order drew criticism from clean energy leaders and some lawmakers who say the move undermines investor confidence and disrupts jobs. A trade association representative described the decision as politicized and warned it sends a negative message to long-term energy investors. A U.S. senator from Connecticut called the action arbitrary and vowed to challenge it, noting rising electricity costs and the project’s role in job creation. The governor of Rhode Island said the halt damages the state’s energy plans and economic goals and said state leaders will pursue every avenue to reverse the decision.
Local and legal opposition
Some local groups and tribal leaders praised the halt. The chairwoman of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) said she has long urged regulators to slow permitting to consider impacts on ocean life, coastal views, and cultural sites. Environmental and local advocacy groups that are pursuing legal challenges against offshore projects welcomed the agency’s action as validation of their concerns. One regional group has been campaigning in court and public forums for several years to stop or limit offshore wind development.
Related projects and past incidents
This is the second recent instance where a permitted offshore project faced a federal pause under the same administration. A New York-area project was briefly halted in May before construction resumed. Separately, an unrelated project experienced a turbine blade failure that remains under federal investigation; debris from that blade has washed ashore, and that model experienced multiple failures elsewhere. Revolution Wind uses a different blade design.
Legal filings and ongoing lawsuits
The Wampanoag Tribe and several local groups recently filed a federal lawsuit challenging approvals for other regional wind projects, alleging violations of the Endangered Species Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and historic preservation laws. Plaintiffs raised concerns about whale protections, acoustic monitoring, pile-driving limits, and visual impacts to historic coastal sites. Those suits remain active and reflect wider legal scrutiny across multiple projects in the region.
What comes next
BOEM did not provide many public details about specific security issues in the stop-work letter. Ørsted said it will comply while evaluating options, including legal action. The federal agencies involved are expected to continue reviews tied to the executive order and the Department of Commerce probe. The halt introduces uncertainty for the offshore wind industry, suppliers, and local workers who were on site as construction paused.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where is Revolution Wind located?
A: The wind farm is about 12 miles southwest of Aquinnah, in federal waters off the coast.
Q: How large is the project?
A: The project is planned to include 65 turbines and deliver roughly 704 megawatts of power when complete.
Q: Why did construction stop?
A: The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management ordered a stop to allow time for a department review tied to executive-level direction about permits and national security concerns.
Q: Who owns the project?
A: The project is jointly owned by Ørsted and Eversource, with Ørsted holding a 50 percent stake.
Q: Will the project restart soon?
A: There is no set restart date. The developer is complying with the order and assessing legal and financial options while federal reviews continue.
Key project details at a glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Project name | Revolution Wind |
| Location | About 12 miles southwest of Aquinnah |
| Number of turbines | 65 |
| Turbine height | Approximately 873 feet |
| Capacity | About 704 megawatts |
| Manufacturers | Siemens Gamesa (turbines) |
| Owners | Ørsted (50%) and Eversource |
| Approval status | Previously approved by BOEM; construction halted by BOEM order |
| Expected service date | Power expected to begin in 2026 (timeline now uncertain) |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- Vineyard Gazette: Federal agency orders stop to Revolution Wind off Aquinnah (Aug 23, 2025)
- Wikipedia: Revolution Wind
- Martha’s Vineyard Times: Aquinnah tribe, fishermen file new wind lawsuit (Jun 6, 2025)
- Google Search: Aquinnah tribe fishermen wind lawsuit
- Vineyard Gazette: Gay Head (Aquinnah) tribe sues over offshore wind (Jun 3, 2025)
- Google Scholar: Wampanoag Tribe Gay Head Aquinnah offshore wind lawsuit
- Martha’s Vineyard Times: Aquinnah tribe officially supports wind lawsuit (Dec 10, 2024)
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Wampanoag
- Vineyard Gazette: Revolution Wind completes first turbine (Sep 6, 2024)
- Google News: Revolution Wind turbine 2024
Author: Construction FL News
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