Sif Pushes Forward Foundation Fabrication for Empire Wind 1 Offshore Wind Farm Despite Construction Interruption
Empire Offshore Wind LLC, a branch of Equinor, has tasked Sif with supplying 54 monopiles and transition components for the 810 MW Empire Wind 1 offshore wind facility, located 15-30 miles southeast of Long Island, New York. These foundations are intended to support 15 MW Vestas wind turbines. The initial monopile was finalized in November 2024, and according to recent updates, the first six foundations have left Rotterdam heading towards New York.
On April 16, Empire Offshore Wind LLC received a directive from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) requiring a suspension of all operations on the outer continental shelf until the agency concludes its assessment. In response, Empire and its contractors promptly started actions to halt relevant marine activities to ensure worker safety and environmental safeguarding. Following this order, on April 17, Empire notified both Sif and stakeholders that offshore construction would be temporarily halted.
Upcoming Actions
Empire has affirmed that it is actively coordinating with the relevant authorities to clarify the circumstances and is reviewing possible legal measures, including an appeal against the BOEM directive.
The federal lease for Empire Wind was finalized with the U.S. Administration in 2017, after a successful bidding process conducted by the Department of the Interior’s BOEM in December 2016. Empire Wind 1 has obtained all necessary federal and state approvals and is presently under construction, backed by a contract with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to provide a crucial new source of electricity for New York State. As of March 31, 2025, around USD 1.5 billion has been accessed from the project’s financing facility. Empire is now evaluating the effects of this situation on both the project and its funding.
In the meantime, Sif has affirmed that it will proceed with the foundation manufacturing process as per the existing agreement. Sif and the Empire Wind 1 project team are dedicated to sustaining a positive collaboration and will continue discussions regarding any contractual amendments that may come up. Source: Sif / Equinor Image: Empire Wind 1 visual
