- Offshore wind developers worry about industry setbacks if Trump wins, as he plans to cancel projects via executive order.
- Despite challenges, officials like New York’s Doreen Harris reaffirm commitments to long-term offshore wind goals, regardless of the election outcome.
- The industry’s difficulties, including low bids in the Gulf of Maine lease sale, highlight the impact of political uncertainty on offshore wind development.
Offshore wind developers at a recent conference in Atlantic City expressed confidence about handling political challenges but openly worried about the industry’s future if Donald Trump wins the November 5 election. Trump pledged to cancel offshore wind projects through an executive order on his first day if he regains the presidency, citing harm to birds and marine life.
Trump faces a tight race against Vice President Kamala Harris, who has championed aggressive offshore wind targets under President Joe Biden. Harris has pushed for renewable energy expansion, making offshore wind central to the Biden administration’s clean energy goals.
This uncertainty adds to an already tough year for the offshore wind industry, which has dealt with cancelled projects, delayed lease sales, and a recent construction accident at the country’s first large offshore wind farm.
Jason Grumet, CEO of the American Clean Power Association (ACP), acknowledged the tension at the ACP’s Offshore Windpower conference. “We hold this conference every October, but this year, with the election so close, it adds extra uncertainty,” Grumet said. “The polarisation across the country amplifies this sense of unease, not just about offshore wind but broader economic concerns.”
While many attendees avoided public comments, several privately admitted fears about a Trump presidency, and two offshore wind executives worried that Trump could slow down the industry by halting federal permitting for new projects.
Despite these concerns, some leaders expressed determination. Doreen Harris, CEO of the New York State Research and Development Authority, reaffirmed New York’s plan to install 9 gigawatts (GW) offshore wind by 2035. “Our commitment holds steady, regardless of the election outcome,” Harris said.
Equinor, in its statement, stressed that renewable energy and creating a domestic supply chain should rise above partisan politics. Yet, a White House renewable energy advisor warned that a Trump presidency could limit federal offshore wind leases, adding to the industry’s current struggles.
Carl Fleming, a partner of law firm McDermott Will & Emery, highlighted the industry’s existing challenges. “Even without political hurdles, reaching Biden’s goal of 30 GW by 2030 looks difficult,” Fleming noted.
Liz Klein, director of the US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, recognised the challenges but emphasised the importance of continued efforts. “We’ve faced obstacles, but our job is to show the US remains committed to clean energy,” Klein said.
The conference overlapped with the Biden administration’s first offshore wind lease sale in the Gulf of Maine, which generated only $22 million in bids. Several analysts blamed developers’ election-related worries for the low turnout.
As the election approaches, the future of US offshore wind hangs in the balance. A Trump victory could slow the industry, while a Harris win may help keep the momentum for renewable energy growing.