Court ruling saves billion-dollar project in the USA: This wind farm has become a symbol of resistance against Trump's policies – Creative image: Xpert.Digital
Of all places, Texas: This US state is becoming an unstoppable solar giant, overshadowing everything else
America's bizarre energy paradox: Trump fights green energy, but the market has already decided
The US is currently experiencing an unprecedented energy paradox, characterized by two opposing realities. On the one hand, there is the Trump administration, which is doing everything in its power to prolong the fossil fuel era and, in particular, to stifle the burgeoning offshore wind industry through construction freezes and subsidy cuts. On the other hand, the market is exhibiting an unstoppable momentum of its own: Led by the oil-rich state of Texas, which has become the nation's solar champion, the expansion of solar and battery storage capacity is breaking all records and completely dominating the construction of new power plants.
At the heart of this conflict is the nearly completed offshore wind farm "Revolution Wind," whose construction was suddenly halted by the government, citing vague national security concerns. However, a remarkable court ruling has now dismissed this move as "arbitrary and capricious," giving the project the green light for completion. This dispute is more than just a legal tug-of-war; it is emblematic of the future of America's energy transition. While politics is putting the brakes on progress, economic viability, technological advancements, and the commitment of individual states have set in motion a development that, while hindered, can likely no longer be completely stopped.
What is the current state of renewable energies in the USA?
The United States is currently experiencing a paradoxical situation in the energy sector. While President Trump is pursuing policies that strengthen fossil fuels and hinder renewable energies, the market is showing a completely different dynamic. According to recent data from the US Energy Information Administration, a total of 64 gigawatts of new utility-scale capacity is expected in 2025, with renewable energies showing absolute dominance.
Of these 64 GW, 33.3 GW are attributable to photovoltaics, representing more than half of all new capacity. Battery storage follows with 18.3 GW, wind energy with 7.8 GW, and only 4.7 GW for gas-fired power plants. It is noteworthy that no new coal-fired or nuclear power plant installations are planned for 2025.
In the first half of 2025, approximately 12 GW of new solar power capacity was installed. A further 21 GW of large-scale installations are planned for the second half of the year, bringing the total solar capacity added in the US for the year to over 33 GW. Around 27 percent of the solar capacity added in the first half of 2025 is located in the state of Texas.
What role does Texas play in the American energy transition?
By 2025, Texas had become the undisputed solar champion of the USA. With an installed solar capacity of 20.7 GW, the Lone Star State could already cover 27.7 percent of the peak demand in the ERCOT grid with solar energy. This figure doubles the starting point from 2023 and positions Texas as a global powerhouse for renewable energies.
The figures show that Texas is not only participating in, but leading the American energy transition. Developers plan to bring another 9.7 GW of solar capacity online in Texas in the second half of the year. By 2030, Texas could have over 50 GW of solar capacity, which would fundamentally change the energy landscape.
Battery storage accounted for the second-largest share of new capacity in the first half of the year, at 5.9 GW, with roughly half of that installed in Arizona or California. In Texas, developers expect a total of 7.0 GW of battery storage capacity for 2025, with the majority of it scheduled to go online in the second half of the year.
What is the current status of offshore wind energy in the USA?
Offshore wind energy in the USA is at a critical stage. Currently, only three offshore wind projects are fully operational: the Block Island Wind Farm (30 MW), completed in 2016, the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Pilot Project (12 MW) from 2020, and the South Fork Wind Farm (132 MW), which was fully commissioned in 2024.
Under the Biden administration, the US had set ambitious goals: 30 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030 and 15 GW of floating offshore wind energy by 2035. According to the original plans of the US government, offshore wind energy could even reach a capacity of 110 GW or more by 2050.
The project pipeline amounted to 51.4 GW, 84 percent of which is planned for the East Coast. New York State currently leads the pipeline with 4.6 GW, followed by New Jersey with 3.8 GW. Construction and operating plans have been submitted for ten wind farms, awaiting final environmental review.
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What happened to the Revolution Wind project?
The Revolution Wind project is at the center of the current controversy surrounding US offshore wind policy. This 704 MW offshore wind farm, developed by the Danish company Ørsted in partnership with Skyborn Renewables, is located 15 nautical miles south of the coast of Rhode Island and 32 nautical miles southeast of Connecticut.
The project was to consist of 65 Siemens Gamesa 11.0-200 DD turbines, each with a rated output of 11 MW. It had power purchase agreements in place to deliver 400 MW to Rhode Island and 304 MW to Connecticut, enough to power approximately 350,000 homes.
On August 22, 2025, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management issued a construction halt for Revolution Wind, even though the project was already 80 percent complete. The agency cited unspecified national security concerns as the reason. This was particularly surprising since the Department of Defense had previously approved the project and all necessary safety reviews had been completed.
How did the court react to Trump's construction halt?
On September 22, 2025, Federal Judge Royce Lamberth decisively rejected the construction halt. The judge, appointed by Ronald Reagan, granted Ørsted's request for a temporary injunction and described the Trump administration's actions as "arbitrary and capricious.".
Judge Lamberth found that the Trump administration had given “contradictory reasons” for halting the project and described the changing explanations as “the height of arbitrary and capricious action.” He emphasized that Revolution Wind had reasonably relied on government assurances and that the sudden reversal jeopardized the company’s ability to meet contractual deadlines.
The judge emphasized that there was “no doubt about irreparable harm to the plaintiffs,” as Ørsted was losing $2.3 million daily. The court found that the plaintiffs had demonstrated “a probability of success in the case.”.
What arguments did the Trump administration put forward?
The Trump administration justified its interventions in offshore wind projects with various arguments, which were, however, questioned by experts and even its own Department of Defense. Initially, vague “national security interests” were cited as the reason for the construction halt, without providing specific details.
Home Secretary Doug Burgum later mentioned that wind turbines could interfere with radar systems and enable covert attacks using swarm drones. However, these claims were refuted by military experts and the Department of Defence, which had previously approved the project.
In later court documents, the administration argued that the project failed to meet agreements with the Department of Defense to mitigate security concerns. It also raised other concerns, such as its impact on cod spawning grounds. However, Judge Lamberth found that the Department had not pointed to “any factual evidence” that would lead to the conclusion that Revolution Wind would infringe upon national security or the reasonable use of the waters.
How do Trump's measures affect the entire industry?
The Trump administration launched a comprehensive offensive against offshore wind energy that goes far beyond the Revolution Wind project. On January 20, 2025, President Trump issued a memorandum withdrawing all areas of the Outer Continental Shelf from wind energy leases and directing the Secretary of the Interior to review existing lease agreements.
The administration has also revoked permits for additional offshore wind projects off the coasts of Massachusetts and Maryland. Key permits for the New England Wind 1 and 2 offshore wind farms were revoked without further explanation. Another wind power project in Massachusetts, SouthCoast Wind, has been on hold since the beginning of the year.
On August 31, 2025, the Trump administration announced the cancellation of $679 million in federal funding for ports intended to support the offshore wind industry. This funding had been earmarked for twelve port projects from California to Virginia. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy justified the decision by stating that “unnecessary wind projects consume resources that could be redirected to revitalize America’s shipping industry.”.
What legal challenges arise?
The legal battles surrounding the Trump administration's offshore wind policy have only just begun. Eighteen states have already filed a coalition lawsuit against Trump's attempt to freeze offshore wind energy development. These states argue that the federal government should be working with them, not against them.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey sharply criticized Trump's actions. Given rising energy prices, Trump should not be blocking such projects, as they are essential for ensuring affordable electricity. Connecticut Attorney General William Tong and Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha described the court ruling in the Revolution Wind case as an important victory for workers and families.
Industry experts predict further legal disputes. David Burton, a partner at the law firm Norton Rose Fulbright, predicted that lawsuits against the new treasury guidelines are likely. Revoking approvals already granted is expected to face significant legal challenges.
How is industry reacting to political uncertainties?
Despite political setbacks, the offshore wind industry is proving resilient, but is grappling with significant challenges. Following the court ruling, Ørsted announced that Revolution Wind “will resume the affected construction work as soon as possible, with safety as the top priority.” The company emphasized its continued commitment to collaborative working with the US administration and other stakeholders.
The industry was already struggling with economic difficulties before the political interventions. In 2023 and 2024, numerous offshore wind companies, including Ørsted, faced billions of dollars in write-downs and cancellation fees because they were unable to complete projects profitably due to rising construction costs, higher interest rates, and supply chain disruptions.
More than 10,000 MW, or half of the planned projects, had already been canceled or halted before the Trump administration implemented its new measures. Aside from Dominion's regulated project, developers have only committed to building 1,636 MW of capacity, which is expected to come online before the end of the decade.
What long-term effects can be expected?
The long-term effects of Trump's policies on the American energy transition are complex and partly contradictory. Experts assume that the dynamic expansion of renewable energies will be hindered and slowed under Trump's presidency, but not stopped.
BloombergNEF forecasts a 23 percent decrease in wind, solar, and storage installations over the next decade as a result of Trump's policies. Nevertheless, market data shows that the energy transition has developed its own momentum, which political interventions can only influence to a limited extent.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission forecasts that solar and wind power will surpass natural gas capacity by 2029. As of April 2025, large-scale solar and wind power plants together already account for 22.8 percent of total US electricity generation capacity. When all renewable energy sources are considered, they represent approximately 31.8 percent of US power plant capacity.
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States as an engine: How US states are saving offshore plans
How are investments and financing developing?
The financing landscape for renewable energy in the US has changed dramatically under the Trump administration. With the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” Trump ended most of the tax breaks for clean energy from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. Wall Street estimates the volume of suspended government loans at more than $300 billion.
According to an analysis by the independent business association E2, investments totaling 14 billion US dollars, originally earmarked for green technologies under the Inflation Reduction Act, were and will be cancelled in the USA in 2025.
Despite these setbacks, the industry is demonstrating remarkable resilience. Since 2023, $2.1 billion has been spent on developing the domestic supply chain, including port development, ship orders, workforce development, and other supply chain financing. According to a Financial Times analysis, companies have already invested over $130 billion as part of the Biden infrastructure program.
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What role do the federal states play?
The individual states are proving to be crucial players in driving the energy transition, independent of federal policy. Ten US states have set expansion targets for offshore wind farms with a total capacity of 81 GW. Rhode Island has the most ambitious goal of 100 percent renewable energy by 2033, while Connecticut aims for 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2040.
In California, where offshore wind development is still in its infancy, most of the progress is being made at the state level. Adam Stern, director of Offshore Wind California, a trade association, mentioned that a budget of approximately $475 million has been approved for port improvements and $4.6 billion for upgrading transmission lines.
The primary drivers of the offshore wind sector are the state governments. Massachusetts has set targets for 5,600 MW, Connecticut for 2,000 MW, and Rhode Island for 1,430 MW of offshore wind capacity. These state initiatives offer a degree of stability in an otherwise uncertain regulatory environment.
What is the international perspective?
The American offshore wind industry lags significantly behind in international comparison. Europe and China each have more than 30 GW of offshore wind power capacity in operation, while the US, with approximately 174 MW, has a tiny fraction. Global offshore wind capacity reached a total of 68,258 MW across 319 operational projects at the end of 2023.
For international investors, the political uncertainty in the US is sending “extremely discouraging signals,” as the Global Wind Energy Council noted. The delay or failure of future revenues could severely impact European developers like Ørsted, who are already struggling with high levels of debt.
Nevertheless, the international outlook for the US market remains fundamentally optimistic. Jason Grumet, CEO of the American Clean Power Association, a renewable energy industry organization, stated: “We will build an offshore wind industry in this country because it is hard to imagine meeting our coastal energy needs without it.”.
Which technological developments will shape the future?
Despite political obstacles, technological development in the American offshore wind industry is showing continuous progress. Revolution Wind uses state-of-the-art Siemens Gamesa SG 11.0-200 DD wind turbines, each with a rated output of 11 MW. These turbines are significantly larger and more efficient than their onshore counterparts.
The US Energy Information Administration, in its Annual Energy Outlook 2025, anticipates significantly stronger long-term growth in renewable energy than previously expected. Compared to its 2021 study, the EIA projects more than double the generation capacity by 2050. Particularly noteworthy is the forecast for offshore wind power, which is expected to increase from 0.4 TWh in 2024 to 173.7 TWh in 2050, representing an average annual growth rate of 26.2 percent.
The development of floating offshore wind technology is seen as key to unlocking deeper waters. The original Biden plans envisioned developing 15 GW of floating offshore wind power by 2035. This technology would make it possible to utilize the vast wind resources off the West Coast, where the water is too deep for conventional foundations.
How does the energy transition affect the American economy?
The economic impacts of the energy transition in the US are multifaceted and extend far beyond energy production. Revolution Wind alone was projected to create “1,200 direct construction jobs and thousands more indirect and induced jobs through investments in the local economy.” The original 30 GW offshore wind target by 2030 would have required investments of more than twelve billion dollars along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts and created tens of thousands of new jobs.
The cancellation of $679 million in federal funding for ports will hit the maritime industry particularly hard. Representative Jared Huffman from California criticized this as “a new level of folly, in which the Trump administration is trying to dismantle an entire clean energy industry, eliminate thousands of well-paying jobs, and raise electricity costs for American consumers.”.
Despite political opposition, the solar industry is showing impressive economic vitality. Following the court ruling on Revolution Wind, solar stocks rose sharply on Friday. Sunrun, the market leader in rooftop solar, saw its share price jump by more than 30 percent.
What does this mean for global climate policy?
American energy policy under Trump has far-reaching implications for global climate policy. Analysts estimate that under Trump, the US will emit up to four billion tons of CO2 equivalent more into the atmosphere by 2030 than would have been saved under a Harris administration. This is equivalent to twice the total amount of savings achieved worldwide in the last five years through wind power, solar energy, and other clean technologies.
The international repercussions extend beyond direct emissions. It remains to be seen what will be left of the $100 billion climate fund for poorer countries if the US, its largest contributor, withdraws. In Europe, right-wing parties are already feeling emboldened to weaken the EU's planned climate targets.
Nevertheless, there is reason for cautious optimism. “Never before in the history of mankind has a form of energy grown as rapidly as renewable energies are now,” said Christoph Bals of the environmental organization Germanwatch. “The Trump administration may be able to slow this trend, but not stop it.”.
What lessons can be learned from the Revolutionary Wind decision?
The court ruling on Revolution Wind offers important insights into the limits of executive power in the energy sector. Judge Lamberth's decision demonstrates that projects already fully permitted and under construction enjoy stronger legal protections than new developments. The court's finding that the Trump administration cited "contradictory reasons" and acted "arbitrarily and capriciously" sets an important precedent.
The decision also highlights the importance of careful documentation and legal preparation for energy projects. Ørsted's ability to convincingly argue that the project had all the necessary permits and had already undergone comprehensive safety reviews was crucial to its success.
For the industry, the ruling signals that legal challenges against political interference can be successful, especially when the government frequently changes its justifications or fails to provide concrete evidence. This could encourage other developers to take similar legal action.
What does the future of renewable energy look like in the USA?
Despite the political turmoil, the fundamental data point in a clear direction: The energy transition in the US has developed a momentum of its own that political interventions can only partially halt. The fact that more than half of all new electricity capacity will come from solar energy by 2025 underscores the economic superiority of renewable technologies.
FERC's projections for a "highly probable" capacity expansion between May 2025 and April 2028 indicate that solar energy, with 90,158 MW, will significantly surpass other energy sources, followed by wind energy with over 22,000 MW. These figures suggest that renewable energy sources will account for approximately one-third of American power plant capacity by 2029.
Offshore wind energy is likely to experience slower but steady growth. While new projects may face delays, already approved and under construction facilities like Revolution Wind will be able to accelerate their completion following the court ruling. Government initiatives and long-term power purchase agreements offer a degree of stability in an uncertain regulatory environment.
In the long term, America's energy future will likely be determined by the inherent economics of renewable energies. As climate researcher Niklas Höhne of the NewClimate Institute noted, Republicans may leave the portion of the Biden infrastructure measures that includes tax breaks untouched. This means that many of the fundamental incentives for renewable energies will remain, even if direct subsidies are eliminated.
The Revolution Wind ruling demonstrates that the American justice system is prepared to limit arbitrary political intervention in the energy sector. This provides investors and developers with important security and could pave the way for continued, albeit slower, development of renewable energies.
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