Orsted Pulls Plug on 2 Projects Just Weeks after Litigation Filed

The first monopile foundation has been completed at EEW American
Offshore Structures' (EEW AOS) facility in Paulsboro, New Jersey.
Photo Credit: offshoreWIND.biz

On Halloween night, in a stunning move, Orsted walked away from two of its highly touted offshore wind (OSW) projects, Ocean Wind 1 and 2. It is the latest and most dramatic evidence that the OSW industry is in turmoil. This announcement by the world’s leading OSW developer affirms Clean Ocean Action’s concerns that ocean industrialization is moving at a reckless pace, fueled by government fast-tracking. It is too much and too fast given the industry’s faltering or cancelled projects and related facilities, large scale technological failures, supply chain issues, and financial challenges despite government bailouts. Less than two weeks prior to Orsted’s withdrawal, Cape May County filed a lawsuit in New Jersey Federal District Court to challenge several US Government agencies for issuing approvals to Orsted. Clean Ocean Action joined to case, along with other plaintiffs: the Cape May County Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Wildwood Hotel Motel Association, the Garden State Seafood Association, LaMonica Fine Foods, Lund’s Fisheries, and Surfside Seafood Products. The attorneys for the case are Roger and Nancie Marzulla of the Marzulla Law Firm in Washington, D.C. To review the complaint, go to COA’s website. There are many questions about Orsted’s plans and held lease areas, and concerns about the numerous other projects in advanced stages of environmental review and permitting immediately off the coast.

Orsted’s Ocean Wind 1 array of wind turbines 

(yellow box southeast of Atlantic City on map) 

with Ocean Wind 2 to the south

Photo Credit: BOEM