Empire Offshore Wind LLC, a subsidiary of Equinor ASA, has resumed construction of its Empire Wind offshore project following the lifting of a stop work order initially issued by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) on April 16, 2025.

The decision to allow work to continue follows weeks of dialogue between federal, state, and city authorities. The project, currently over 30% complete, is set to deliver renewable energy to approximately 500,000 homes in New York once operational in 2027.

Anders Opedal, President and CEO of Equinor ASA, expressed appreciation for the coordinated efforts that led to the resumption, highlighting contributions from both U.S. and Norwegian officials. The project has garnered support from multiple stakeholders, including Governor Kathy Hochul, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, and several members of Congress.

Molly Morris, President of Equinor Wind US, emphasized the project's national economic footprint, citing supply chain investments across states such as New York, Louisiana, Texas, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina.

Equinor plans to reassess the project's economics in Q2 2025 and continue preparations for its offshore installation activities slated for later this year.

The Empire Wind lease was first awarded in 2017, with project financing secured in 2024. Construction began after regulatory approvals in early 2024.