In a setback to the Biden administration's clean energy ambitions, Ørsted, the offshore wind energy giant, has announced a delay in the start date for its Revolution Wind project off the coasts of Rhode Island and Connecticut. Originally slated to begin operations next year, the project is now expected to be operational by 2026.

The reason for the delay lies on land, as Ørsted's partner, Eversource Energy, is constructing a substation on a former naval station. However, the clearance of lingering soil contamination is taking longer than anticipated, causing the postponement. Ørsted CEO Mads Nipper acknowledged the challenges faced by the early stage US market, stating, "Risk is an integrated part of projects."

This is not the first setback for Ørsted in the US offshore wind sector. Last October, the company canceled two major projects, Ocean Wind 1 and Ocean Wind 2, off the coast of New Jersey. These projects, with a combined capacity of 2,248 megawatts, were scrapped due to rising interest rates, inflation, and supply chain issues stemming from the pandemic.

Despite these challenges, Ørsted has successfully completed its smaller 132MW South Fork Wind farm off the coast of New York this year, in partnership with Eversource. The company is also working on the Sunrise Wind project, a 924MW venture off the coast of New York, expected to be operational between 2026 and 2027.

Revolution Wind, with a capacity of 704MW, is a significant project that could power approximately 350,000 homes in Rhode Island and Connecticut once it is fully operational. Its delay adds to the uphill battle facing the United States in fulfilling President Biden's goal of reaching 30,000MW of offshore wind capacity by the end of the decade.

As of July, active projects in the US offshore wind pipeline were estimated to have a total capacity of 4,800MW. However, reaching the desired target will require additional efforts and overcoming various hurdles that have impacted the industry, including the ongoing effects of the pandemic.

The offshore wind sector holds immense potential for clean energy generation and job creation in the US. While setbacks like the delay in the Revolution Wind project pose challenges, industry leaders and policymakers remain committed to advancing offshore wind initiatives and accelerating the transition to a sustainable energy future.