USA
Equinor’s 810 MW Empire Wind offshore wind project is facing further delays due to the late delivery of US-built tugs and barges required for turbine installation.
As a result, first power generation is now expected in the first half of 2027, representing a delay of several months.
During its Q3 2026 results presentation on 28 October, Equinor confirmed that the project was approximately 80% complete. Foundations for all 54 wind turbines have been installed, while the offshore substation was installed in early 2026. Cabling activities have also reportedly been completed, leaving turbine installation as the main outstanding construction activity.
The installation campaign will rely on a specialised feeder system, with US-built tugs and barges transporting turbine components from Brooklyn to the Maersk Viridis wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV), constructed by Seatrium in Singapore. This arrangement allows the WTIV to remain offshore while receiving turbine components. However, delays in the construction and delivery of the feeder vessels have affected the installation schedule. Meanwhile, Maersk Viridis has been undergoing testing and crew training for the feeder barge system off Pascagoula, Mississippi.
Despite the revised timeline, Equinor stated that the project’s total capital expenditure remains unchanged, although some spending will shift into 2027. Construction has continued to progress despite earlier federal stop-work orders in 2025, which were subsequently lifted or suspended through legal proceedings. Once operational, Empire Wind will deliver electricity to New York City’s grid through Brooklyn, connecting to the Con Edison network.
