The US Department of the Interior has ordered an immediate pause on five large offshore wind projects currently under construction along the east coast. The decision follows classified assessments by the Department of War that identified potential national security risks linked to the projects’ construction and operation. According to the Department of the Interior, the pause is intended to allow federal authorities, including defence and security agencies, to work with project developers and state partners to assess whether the identified risks can be mitigated. Notices have been issued for Vineyard Wind 1, Revolution Wind, Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, Sunrise Wind and Empire Wind 1.
Vineyard Wind 1, located around 15 miles southwest of Nantucket, is partly operational, with roughly half of its 62 turbines already delivering electricity to the grid. Construction activities are now halted despite recent progress, including the receipt of a federal permit to continue transporting turbine components through New Bedford Harbour.
Empire Wind 1, developed by Equinor, received a suspension notice from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management on 22 December. The developer stated that it is complying with the order and engaging with federal authorities to better understand the concerns raised. Construction of the project is reported to be more than 60% complete, with offshore cable installation activities under way prior to the pause.
Revolution Wind and Sunrise Wind, both developed by Ørsted, were instructed to suspend offshore activities for an initial period of 90 days, with the option for the regulator to extend the suspension. Ørsted confirmed that both projects are complying with the order and are evaluating possible next steps, including continued engagement with regulators and potential legal action.
The Department of the Interior cited long-standing concerns, documented in unclassified government reports, that offshore wind turbines can interfere with radar systems by creating signal clutter. This interference may obscure legitimate moving objects or generate false targets near wind farm sites.
Dominion Energy, the developer of the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project, said it is complying with the order but warned that extended delays could affect grid reliability and employment. The project is located between 27 and 44 miles offshore and includes two pilot turbines that have been operating for several years.
The Department of the Interior confirmed that all five projects remain paused while the national security review is carried out. No timeline has been provided for when construction activities may resume.
