Revolution Wind turbines and idle service vessels off the coast as construction pauses during federal review
Rhode Island (offshore), August 24, 2025
A federal offshore energy office issued an order requiring work on the Revolution Wind project to stop while it conducts a new review tied to a presidential executive order. At the time of the halt most turbines were already installed and the developer said the project was about 80% complete. The pause raises concerns about hundreds of union jobs, regional clean energy plans, higher consumer costs, and investor uncertainty. Ørsted says it is complying, engaging agencies and weighing legal options while aiming to minimize environmental and worker impacts and to resume on a previous timeline if cleared.
The Interior Department’s offshore energy office issued an order on Aug. 22 requiring work on the Revolution Wind project to stop. The letter directed developer Ørsted to halt all ongoing activities and to remain idle until the agency completes a new review tied to a presidential executive order limiting the expansion of offshore wind. At the time of the order, 45 of the project’s 65 turbines were installed and the developer said the overall project was about 80% complete.
The stop-work notice was signed by the acting director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and sent to Ørsted late on Aug. 22. The agency said the pause was needed so it could address concerns raised during a review prompted by the president’s January executive order. The agency flagged issues tied to the protection of national security interests and the prevention of interference with other uses of U.S. offshore waters, but did not detail specific security problems.
Revolution Wind is a 704-megawatt project planned roughly 15 miles south of Rhode Island’s coast and about 32 miles southeast of Connecticut’s shore. The wind farm is built of 65 turbines; reports indicate 45 have been installed, and one reference put turbine installation at 70% complete. Ørsted reported the full project is about 80% complete. Onshore construction began more than two years ago and offshore work moved ahead in spring 2024, with the first turbine placed in September 2024.
State leaders and local officials reacted strongly. Rhode Island’s governor warned the halt puts hundreds of union jobs at risk and said the move threatens the state’s energy and economic plans. Connecticut’s governor said the action would raise electric bills and undo years of state investment in clean energy. The state attorney general said legal options will be explored and described the federal action as harmful to climate goals. Rhode Island’s congressional delegation said the order was unwarranted and vowed to protect local interests and lower energy costs.
Ørsted said it is complying with the order, has paused offshore activities, and is taking steps to keep workers and the environment safe. The company said it is engaging with permitting agencies to seek clarification and resolution and is considering potential legal actions. Ørsted is also reviewing the financial effects of the pause and said its goal remains to reach commercial operation in the second half of 2026 if the issue can be resolved.
Revolution Wind is designed to deliver power to Rhode Island and Connecticut. Rhode Island is contracted for 400 megawatts of capacity and Connecticut for 304 megawatts. Developers say the farm would supply enough electricity for about 350,000 households. Rhode Island Energy was set to pay a flat 9.8 cents per kilowatt-hour for the project’s power; that deal was expected at approval to save local ratepayers about $90 million over the life of the contract by replacing high-cost winter fossil fuel generation.
The halt is the second time this administration has paused an offshore wind project after construction began; a prior order affecting another East Coast project was reversed after about a month. Critics say the new stop-work order raises investor uncertainty, threatens hundreds of jobs, and undermines regional plans for cleaner power and port and shipyard investments. Industry groups and state advocates warned the pause risks delaying new supply and raising consumer costs.
The project received final federal approval under the previous administration in December. Portions of the work were staged at local Rhode Island ports, including the Port of Providence and the Quonset Business Park. The wind farm has been described in reporting as a multibillion-dollar project; one figure given was about $4 billion.
BOEM said Ørsted may not resume work until the agency completes its review. The developer is pursuing agency talks and legal options. State officials and the attorney general plan to press federal authorities and explore every available step to reverse the order. The final outcome will determine whether the project can be completed on its previous schedule and when power can begin flowing to the grid.
The federal offshore energy office issued a stop-work order on Aug. 22 telling the developer to halt all construction activities related to Revolution Wind until a new agency review is finished.
Reports show 45 of the 65 planned turbines were installed at the time the order was issued.
The developer has said the project is about 80% complete overall.
The order says the pause responds to concerns tied to a presidential executive order and mentions national security and avoiding interference with other ocean uses, but it did not give detailed specifics.
Rhode Island was set to receive 400 megawatts and Connecticut 304 megawatts. The farm was expected to serve roughly 350,000 households across the region.
The developer is complying with the order, engaging with permitting agencies, reviewing legal options, and evaluating financial impacts while aiming to resume construction if allowed.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Planned capacity | 704 megawatts |
| Turbines planned | 65 |
| Turbines installed | 45 (reported) |
| Reported completeness | About 80% overall |
| Location | Roughly 15 miles south of Rhode Island (about 32 miles southeast of Connecticut) |
| Major developer partners | Ørsted with listed partners including utility and investment partners |
| Power allocation | Rhode Island 400 MW; Connecticut 304 MW |
| Expected households served | About 350,000 |
| Rhode Island contract price | 9.8 cents per kWh (flat rate) |
| Estimated project cost | Described as multibillion-dollar; one reported figure was about $4 billion |
| Staging locations | Port of Providence and Quonset Business Park (partial staging) |
| Commercial operation target | Developer aimed for second half of 2026, subject to review outcome |
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