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Equinor's Empire Wind Halts Offshore Work After BOEM Order
A federal stop work order citing national security concerns has suspended offshore construction activities for the Empire Wind project, which is more than 60 percent complete on the US outer continental shelf.
www.equinor.com
The christening of the US-built service operations vessel ECO Liberty in June 2025. Photo: Brian Young, Equinor
Federal order and scope of suspension
Empire Offshore Wind LLC has received a stop work order from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, part of the US Department of the Interior, requiring the suspension of ongoing activities on the Outer Continental Shelf. The notice, issued on 22 December, cites national security concerns and applies to offshore construction activities currently underway.
According to the Department of the Interior, a total of five offshore wind projects under construction have received similar notices. Empire is engaging with relevant federal authorities to clarify the basis and implications of the order.
Project status at time of suspension
At the time the stop work order was issued, the Empire Wind project was more than 60 percent complete. Offshore activities included trenching, cable-laying, and cable pulling operations conducted by multiple contractors. The project has involved dozens of vessels, approximately 1,000 personnel, and more than one hundred companies across the United States and internationally.
All construction activities on the Outer Continental Shelf have now been safely suspended in compliance with the order, with limited exceptions allowed for actions necessary to address emergency situations or prevent risks to health, safety, or the environment.
National security review context
Empire Wind has coordinated with federal authorities on national security matters since executing its lease in 2017. This engagement has included participation in regulatory reviews conducted over several years, involving both military and civilian stakeholders. The project developer has stated that it is complying with all national security–related requirements identified through these processes and plans to continue working with BOEM and other federal agencies on any required mitigation measures.
Equinor, which owns Empire through Equinor Wind US LLC, has indicated that it brings extensive experience operating offshore energy infrastructure in the United States and internationally, including coordination with defense and regulatory authorities.
Grid connection and energy supply role
Once completed, Empire Wind is intended to connect to New York’s electricity grid and provide sufficient capacity to supply power for approximately 500,000 homes. The project is being developed under contract with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, with the objective of strengthening grid reliability amid rising electricity demand.
During construction, the project has supported nearly 4,000 jobs, including offshore roles and onshore activities linked to the redevelopment of the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal.
www.equinor.com
Federal order and scope of suspension
Empire Offshore Wind LLC has received a stop work order from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, part of the US Department of the Interior, requiring the suspension of ongoing activities on the Outer Continental Shelf. The notice, issued on 22 December, cites national security concerns and applies to offshore construction activities currently underway.
According to the Department of the Interior, a total of five offshore wind projects under construction have received similar notices. Empire is engaging with relevant federal authorities to clarify the basis and implications of the order.
Project status at time of suspension
At the time the stop work order was issued, the Empire Wind project was more than 60 percent complete. Offshore activities included trenching, cable-laying, and cable pulling operations conducted by multiple contractors. The project has involved dozens of vessels, approximately 1,000 personnel, and more than one hundred companies across the United States and internationally.
All construction activities on the Outer Continental Shelf have now been safely suspended in compliance with the order, with limited exceptions allowed for actions necessary to address emergency situations or prevent risks to health, safety, or the environment.
National security review context
Empire Wind has coordinated with federal authorities on national security matters since executing its lease in 2017. This engagement has included participation in regulatory reviews conducted over several years, involving both military and civilian stakeholders. The project developer has stated that it is complying with all national security–related requirements identified through these processes and plans to continue working with BOEM and other federal agencies on any required mitigation measures.
Equinor, which owns Empire through Equinor Wind US LLC, has indicated that it brings extensive experience operating offshore energy infrastructure in the United States and internationally, including coordination with defense and regulatory authorities.
Grid connection and energy supply role
Once completed, Empire Wind is intended to connect to New York’s electricity grid and provide sufficient capacity to supply power for approximately 500,000 homes. The project is being developed under contract with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, with the objective of strengthening grid reliability amid rising electricity demand.
During construction, the project has supported nearly 4,000 jobs, including offshore roles and onshore activities linked to the redevelopment of the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal.
www.equinor.com
