Trump Administration Approves Equinor’s Offshore Wind Energy Project Near New York

The administration of Republican President Donald Trump has reversed its decision to halt a major offshore wind farm project near the shores of New York, announced on Monday (May 19, 2025) by Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul and the involved company. This unexpected change means that construction of the Empire Wind 1 offshore wind farm, awarded to Norwegian energy giant Equinor, can now be completed, according to press releases issued by both the governor and the company. The $2.5 billion (€2.25 billion) Empire Wind 1 project by Equinor plans to install 54 wind turbines that will provide 810 megawatts to Brooklyn, enough to cover the needs of 500,000 households. Governor Hochul expressed her gratitude to Donald Trump personally, calling the project absolutely essential not only because it guarantees 1,500 jobs but also because it ensures ‘clean energy’ for the state. “New York’s economic future will be powered by abundant and clean energy that will help our homes and businesses thrive,” Hochul assured. Anders Opedal, President and CEO of Equinor, noted: “We appreciate the fact that construction of Empire Wind can resume, underscoring our commitment to providing energy while supporting local economies and creating jobs.” A representative of the U.S. Department of the Interior did not immediately respond when asked for comment by AFP. In April, U.S. Interior Secretary Dag Bergum had announced he ordered an immediate halt to the work until the project was re-evaluated, arguing the previous Biden administration hadn’t conducted sufficient analysis of its impacts. Shortly after returning to the White House for a second term on January 20th, President Trump signed several executive orders halting various wind energy projects, including freezing operations and federal loans for every wind energy project on federal lands and waters.