Norway’s Equinor ASA (NYSE:EQNR) has suspended all construction at its Empire Wind 1 project off the coast of New York, following a Monday stop-work order from the Trump administration that has sent shockwaves through the renewable energy sector.
The directive, issued just days before Christmas, halts five of the most advanced offshore wind farms in the U.S. over newly cited "national security risks."
The Department of the Interior (DOI) enacted the pause based on classified reports from the Department of War, claiming massive turbine blades and reflective towers cause radar interference—referred to as "clutter"—that could obscure military threats.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum defended the move on social media, labeling the projects "expensive, unreliable, and heavily subsidized" while asserting that a single natural gas pipeline could out-produce all five projects combined.
The suspension is a massive blow for Equinor’s Empire Wind 1, which was 60% complete as of December 22.
The 810-megawatt project carries a gross book value of approximately $3.1 billion, including the critical South Brooklyn Marine Terminal hub.