The Trump Administration has issued a stop-work order on Ørsted’s Revolution Wind project, despite it being nearly complete and on track to begin supplying power to Rhode Island and Connecticut next year. The order came just days after the developer reported the offshore wind farm had reached 80% completion.

The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) directed all offshore construction activities on the 704 MW project to halt on August 22, citing a need to review concerns outlined in President Trump’s January 20, 2025 memorandum.

According to BOEM’s Acting Director, the review is focused on ensuring the project does not compromise U.S. national security interests or interfere with “reasonable uses of the exclusive economic zone, the high seas, and the territorial seas,” as outlined in the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA).

Ørsted confirmed compliance with the directive, stating that its subsidiary, Revolution Wind LLC—developed in partnership with Skyborn Renewables—has paused all offshore work. The company emphasized that worker and environmental safety remain a top priority.

“Ørsted 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,” Ørsted said in a statement.

The company highlighted that Revolution Wind had been through a nine-year federal review process, securing all necessary permits, including a Construction and Operations Plan approval in November 2023. Ørsted also pointed to its broader U.S. investments, which have generated more than 4 million labor union hours, half of which are tied to Revolution Wind alone.

Industry groups responded sharply. Liz Burdock, CEO of Oceantic Network, condemned the order:

“For the second time, the Trump Administration has taken unlawful action against a fully permitted offshore wind project under active construction—this time one that is nearly 80% complete.”

She warned that the move “further erodes investor confidence in the U.S. market across all industries and undermines progress on shared national priorities—shipyard revitalization, steel and port investments, and energy dominance.” Burdock added that halting construction would raise consumer energy costs, idle Gulf Coast vessels, and threaten union jobs.

Jason Grumet, CEO of the American Clean Power Association (ACP), echoed the criticism:

“[It’s] a broken promise to the communities, workers, consumers, and businesses counting on this project.”

Grumet added:

“Here again, the Trump Administration is raising alarms about rising energy prices while blocking new supply from reaching the grid. Taking jobs away from American families while raising their energy bills is not leadership. American workers and consumers deserve better.”

The decision follows a similar order earlier this year that halted construction on Equinor’s Empire Wind 1. That stoppage was lifted after negotiations between the White House and New York officials, raising speculation that political bargaining could again determine the fate of Revolution Wind.

If completed, Revolution Wind’s 65 Siemens Gamesa SG 11.0-200 DD turbines are expected to deliver 400 MW of power to Rhode Island and 304 MW to Connecticut under 20-year power purchase agreements.

For now, the project remains in limbo, leaving investors, labor unions, and state officials uncertain about whether the nearly finished wind farm will reach operation as planned.

Originally reported by Adrijana Buljan in Offshore Wind. Biz.