A major offshore wind development that faced federal opposition has started delivering electricity to New England’s power grid, according to an announcement Friday from the project’s developer.
Danish energy company Orsted announced that Revolution Wind has commenced power generation and will gradually increase output over the coming weeks until reaching full capacity. The project is a joint venture between Orsted and Skyborn Renewables, owned by Global Infrastructure Partners, designed to supply clean electricity to Rhode Island and Connecticut residents and businesses – sufficient to serve more than 350,000 properties.
Revolution Wind was among five major offshore wind developments along the East Coast that faced construction suspensions from the Trump administration just before Christmas, with officials citing national security issues. Project developers and affected states filed lawsuits challenging the decision, and federal courts permitted all five projects to continue building, determining that the government failed to demonstrate an urgent national security threat requiring immediate work stoppage.
The previous Biden administration had prioritized offshore wind development as part of its climate change mitigation strategy.
However, President Donald Trump, who frequently expresses opposition to wind energy, has stated his intention to prevent any new “windmills” from being constructed. He has issued multiple executive orders designed to promote oil, gas and coal production.
White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers stated Friday evening that Trump “reversed course on Joe Biden’s costly green energy agenda that gave preferential treatment to intermittent, unreliable energy sources and instead is aggressively unleashing reliable and affordable energy sources to lower energy bills, improve our grid stability and protect our national security.” Rogers added that the administration “looks forward to ultimate victory on this issue.”
Orsted emphasized that during a period of increasing energy needs, Revolution Wind will deliver cost predictability and grid stability, referencing preliminary Connecticut state analysis projecting wholesale energy cost reductions of approximately $500 million annually by 2028.
“Revolution Wind is adding affordable, reliable American-made energy to New England’s grid, helping to meet growing energy demand and lower consumer costs,” stated Amanda Dasch, Orsted’s chief development officer.
Chris Kearns, acting commissioner of Rhode Island’s Office of Energy Resources, described the initial power delivery as a “significant moment for the state’s clean energy landscape.”
Orsted launched construction in 2024 approximately 15 miles south of Rhode Island’s coastline. The facility features 65 Siemens Gamesa turbines rated at 11 megawatts each, with more than 1,000 workers involved in the project.
Connecticut Democratic Representative Joe Courtney noted that because this wind energy originates directly off New England’s coast, “its price will not be at the mercy of uncertain global energy markets.” He referenced how the Iran conflict is affecting worldwide energy supplies, economic stability and international transportation.
Courtney also stated that Friday’s achievement “never would have happened without talented Connecticut building trades workers, who persevered through the Trump administration’s illegal halt work orders.”
The December suspension marked the second time the current administration stopped Revolution Wind construction. Work had previously been paused on August 22 due to national security concerns, before a federal judge authorized project resumption one month later.
