Interior Department Halts $1.5 Billion Offshore Wind Project Off Rhode Island

Revolution Wind is now 80 percent complete, with 45 out of 65 wind turbines installed, according to Danish company Orsted.

Turbines at Orsted's offshore wind farm near Nysted, Denmark, on Sept. 4, 2023. Tom Little/Reuters

The U.S. Department of the Interior on Aug. 22 directed Danish company Orsted to halt all construction on Revolution Wind, the offshore wind farm off Rhode Island that is nearing completion.

In a letter, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) acting Director Matthew Giacona ordered Orsted to suspend all activities on the project while officials conduct a review to address “concerns related to the protection of national security interests.”