In a twist for renewable energy in the U.S., Norwegian energy giant Equinor now threatens to scrap its Empire Wind 1 offshore project off New York after a federal stop-work order.
Valued at $2.5 billion, Empire Wind 1 features 54 turbines designed to generate 810 megawatts of clean energy for Brooklyn, enough to power 500,000 homes. Construction began last year, with electricity production slated for 2027.
Located 24-48 kilometers southeast of Long Island, it was set to become the first offshore wind farm to feed power directly into New York City's grid.
The halt, backed by opponents including President Donald Trump, comes as the U.S. government argued that former president Joe Biden's administration "rushed through" approval without sufficient analysis.
"We might be forced to terminate the project if we do not reach a resolution towards U.S. federal authorities soon," said Magnus Frantzen Eidsvold, Equinor spokesman.
As Equinor races to negotiate with federal authorities, the future of Empire Wind 1 highlights how geopolitics and policy can shape the trajectory of the global energy transition.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
