US Offshore Wind Projects Halted as China Expands Lead
The offshore wind industry has seen both progress and setbacks recently. Stop work orders were issued for two major USA projects, while China continues to expand its lead in global offshore wind capacity.
In the USA, Ørsted's Rhode Island offshore wind farm and Equinor's 704 MW New York project have been temporarily halted, with stop work orders issued. Meanwhile, globally, the offshore wind capacity is projected to reach 16 GW by the end of 2025, with China driving two-thirds of these projects.
China's CNOOC is planning a significant expansion with a 1.5 GW project in Hainan CZ7, aiming to commission it before 2030. Chinese companies like Dongfang Electric and MingYang Smart Energy are set to lead in offshore wind capacity by 2030, having launched powerful turbines (26 MW and 20 MW respectively). Following China, European companies like Siemens Gamesa and Vestas, along with major investors such as Iberdrola and Ørsted, are expected to lead in their respective regions.
However, USA renewable energy investments have decreased by 36% year-on-year in 2025. Rystad Energy highlights the challenge of creating an alternate supply chain to compete with China, as about 25% of manufacturing sites for key components are located there. By 2030, China is projected to account for 45% of global offshore wind capacity. The USA is actively seeking to reduce its reliance on Chinese supply chains in the offshore wind sector.
While the USA faces temporary setbacks and reduced investments in offshore wind, China continues to dominate the global market. Efforts to diversify the supply chain and reduce reliance on Chinese manufacturing are underway in the USA.
