New York's offshore wind auction collapses amid federal policy chaos

New York's latest offshore wind auction has ended without any contracts being awarded. The state's energy agency, NYSERDA, closed its fifth solicitation in 2026 after receiving four bids but cited federal disruptions as the reason for the decision. The move follows months of uncertainty in the sector, with multiple developers halting projects in the region.

The fifth offshore wind solicitation was launched in July 2024, featuring new provisions such as inflation adjustments, labour requirements, and commitments to disadvantaged communities. By September that year, NYSERDA had received 25 proposals from four developers, including three rebid projects and a new submission from Ørsted.

However, political shifts soon created instability. In November 2024, TotalEnergies paused its New York offshore wind development, pointing to uncertainty after Donald Trump's presidential election victory. Five months later, in April 2025, RWE and National Grid Ventures also suspended their projects in the state.

The fifth auction officially closed in 2026 with bids from Attentive Energy One, Community Offshore Wind, Excelsior Wind, and Long Island Wind. But NYSERDA opted not to award any contracts, blaming federal actions that destabilised the offshore wind news market. The agency did not specify which policies caused the disruption.

In response, NYSERDA issued a Request for Information (RFI) to gather industry feedback on supporting project readiness and early-stage development. The state is now reviewing alternative procurement strategies to ensure a more stable pipeline of future offshore wind projects.

The failed auction leaves New York's offshore wind sector in limbo, with no new contracts signed and several major projects on hold. NYSERDA's next steps will focus on adjusting procurement methods and gathering industry input to revive stalled developments. The outcome highlights the challenges facing renewable energy expansion amid shifting federal policies.