Equinor may abandon its wind project off the coast of New York

US authorities ordered Equinor to halt construction of the massive wind farm last month, dealing a further blow to an industry opposed by President Donald Trump.

Valued by Equinor at $2,5 billion (€2,25 billion), the Empire Wind 1 project includes 54 turbines designed to provide 810 megawatts of energy to Brooklyn, powering 500 homes.

"We may be forced to terminate the project if we do not quickly reach a solution with the US federal authorities," Equinor spokesman Magnus Frantzen Eidsvold told AFP by email.

Built in two phases about 15 to 30 miles (24-48 kilometers) southeast of Long Island, it was the first offshore wind project that would have provided electricity directly to New York City.

Construction began last year and electricity production was expected to begin in 2027.

The US government argued that former President Joe Biden's administration approved the project "hastily" and "without sufficient analysis."

"The situation with the Empire Wind project is unsustainable, and we must quickly find a solution for the project. We are actively seeking a solution with the U.S. federal authorities to the required work stoppage," said Mr. Eidsvold.

Equinor "will have further details to share on what will happen and the timing of potential decisions," he added.