Empire Offshore Wind LLC has filed a civil suit in the US District Court for the District of Columbia challenging the U.S. Department of the Interior’s order directing a suspension to the 810MW Empire Wind project.
The company plans to seek a preliminary injunction to allow construction to continue while litigation proceeds, according to Equinor.
The order is viewed as unlawful by Equinor and threatens the progress of ongoing work with significant implications for the project, added the Norwegian oil and gas giant.
The company said it continues to work closely with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and other relevant authorities to find a prompt resolution to the matter during what it described as a critical period of execution.
The preliminary injunction filing is necessary to avoid additional commercial and financing impacts that are likely to occur should the order remain effective.
Empire has coordinated with numerous federal officials on national security reviews since executing its lease for the project in 2017, including with the Department of War.
The developer has also complied with national security related requirements identified in the regulatory process, it stated.
Empire meets regularly with officials responsible for oversight of security issues for the project, including weekly meetings with the U.S. Coast Guard and other marine first responders.
Empire Wind is being developed under contract with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to deliver a new, near-term source of electricity for New York, added Equinor.
Empire Wind is more than 60 percent complete and represents a significant investment in U.S. energy infrastructure, jobs, and supply chains, the developer said.
Equinor has invested over USD 4 billion in the project, of which USD 2.7 billion has been drawn under the project financing.
Empire Wind had a gross book value of around USD 3.1 billion per 30 September 2025, including South Brooklyn Marine Terminal.
The construction phase has put nearly 4,000 people to work within the lease area and through the revitalisation of the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal, Equinor said.
Empire said its contractors are complying with the suspension order while continuing activities required to prevent impacts to health, safety, and the environment.