Wedoany.com Report-Sept. 24, The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia approved a preliminary injunction for Revolution Wind, allowing the offshore wind project to restart construction paused by a federal stop-work order. The ruling, issued by Judge Royce Lamberth, enables ongoing work off the coasts of Rhode Island and Connecticut while the legal challenge against the stop-work order continues.

The paused project is said to be 80% complete.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) issued the stop-work order last month, citing unspecified national security concerns. Revolution Wind, a 50-50 partnership between Denmark’s Ørsted and Skyborn Renewables (owned by Global Infrastructure Partners), contested the order alongside Rhode Island and Connecticut.

Set to be the first major offshore wind farm for Rhode Island and Connecticut, the project aims to meet about 2.5% of the region’s electricity demand. Construction, which began in 2024 approximately 15 miles south of Rhode Island, is 80% complete and supports over 1,000 workers.

Judge Lamberth highlighted the project’s dependence on federal approvals and the financial burden of delays, stating: “There is no question in my mind of irreparable harm to the plaintiffs.” He noted that the stop-work order incurs daily costs of approximately $2.3 million for Revolution Wind. Lamberth also emphasized that missing deadlines could jeopardize the project, as a specialized construction vessel will be unavailable after this year until at least 2028.

Meaghan Wims, Revolution Wind’s spokesperson, affirmed the company’s dedication, saying: “Revolution Wind will resume impacted construction work as soon as possible, with safety as the top priority.” The company remains committed to collaborating with the U.S. administration and stakeholders to resolve the legal dispute efficiently.

Ørsted has invested or pledged around $5 billion in the project, which could face additional costs exceeding $1 billion if canceled. The 704-megawatt wind farm, with 65 turbines, is designed to power over 350,000 homes. This court decision marks a critical step toward advancing clean energy development in the region.