Ørsted has won a pivotal court ruling allowing it to resume development of the Revolution Wind offshore project off Rhode Island’s coast, reversing a suspension under the previous administration. The decision clears a major regulatory hurdle for one of the largest U.S. offshore wind initiatives.
- Revolution Wind project: 700 MW capacity, 300,000 homes powered annually
- Project location: 15 miles off Rhode Island coast, construction hub at Port of Providence
- Over $120 million already invested in foundation components and infrastructure
- Project timeline: Phase 1 targeted for commercial operation by 2027
- Court ruling overturned a 2023 suspension based on procedural violations of NEPA
- Ørsted stock rose 3.2% following the announcement
A federal court has granted Ørsted a favorable ruling that reinstates its ability to move forward with the Revolution Wind offshore wind project, located approximately 15 miles off the coast of Rhode Island. The project, which had been halted in 2023 due to regulatory challenges stemming from a prior administration’s environmental review process, now has a clear path to resume construction. The court found that the Department of the Interior’s earlier decision to suspend the project lacked sufficient legal justification and violated procedural requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act. The Revolution Wind project is designed to generate 700 megawatts (MW) of clean energy, enough to power roughly 300,000 homes annually. It is part of Ørsted’s broader U.S. portfolio, which includes the 800 MW South Fork Wind project already under operation. Construction had already begun on the foundation components at the Port of Providence, with over $120 million invested in infrastructure and supply chain development prior to the halt. The legal win is expected to accelerate the project’s timeline, with Phase 1 targeting commercial operation by 2027. The ruling is a significant development for the U.S. offshore wind industry, which has faced delays and legal scrutiny since the early 2020s. Ørsted’s ability to restart the project strengthens confidence in the sector’s long-term viability and may encourage similar legal challenges to be resolved in favor of renewable energy developers. The decision also impacts state-level energy goals, particularly Rhode Island’s commitment to achieve 100% renewable electricity by 2030. Financial markets responded positively to the news, with Ørsted’s stock rising 3.2% in early trading. Investors viewed the ruling as a validation of project planning and regulatory resilience. The outcome may also influence future federal permitting decisions, potentially setting a precedent for how environmental reviews are conducted for large-scale clean energy projects.