US Offshore Wind Projects Face Funding Halts Amid Compliance Issues

The U.S. offshore wind industry has suffered major setbacks after the Trump administration halted or suspended multiple projects and funding. The U.S. Department of Energy suspended $4.1 million in funding for the University of Maine's offshore wind research, citing unspecified compliance issues, which has paused key research efforts just as the university was preparing to deploy a floating wind turbine. Additionally, Equinor and Germany’s RWE, two of the world’s leading offshore wind developers, have stopped work on their U.S. projects following a stop-work order and broader moves against the industry by the Trump administration. Equinor criticized the halt as unlawful and is considering legal action, arguing it had secured all necessary approvals for its Empire Wind project. RWE also expressed caution, halting its offshore activities due to the uncertain political climate and regulatory environment. These actions have raised industry-wide concerns about the security of investments and the future of offshore wind development in the United States.