How the global wind-power industry is losing steam

New York Post - Mar 16th, 2025
Open on New York Post

On his first day in office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order halting new approvals and renewals of offshore wind energy projects on federal lands and waters. This decision cited concerns over navigational safety, national security, and environmental impacts. The immediate consequence was the cancellation of New Jersey’s Atlantic Shores project, a significant setback for the state's clean energy goals. Despite these challenges, experts in the field remain optimistic, noting the continued growth of wind as a leading renewable energy source in the U.S.

The offshore wind industry faces multiple hurdles, including financial strains from inflation, supply chain issues, and rising interest rates. Political and regulatory complexities further complicate the landscape. Environmental concerns, such as impacts on marine life, are also part of the debate, although many experts dismiss the claimed links between wind projects and whale strandings. Globally, China dominates wind turbine manufacturing and is advancing rapidly in technology, posing a competitive threat. Nonetheless, industry leaders argue for a diversified energy portfolio, highlighting ongoing projects and potential growth despite current challenges.

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RATING

6.2
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges facing the offshore wind industry, addressing political, financial, and environmental factors. It effectively highlights the industry's growth and the setbacks it faces, particularly in light of political actions and economic challenges. However, the article's accuracy could be improved with more detailed verification of certain claims and a clearer presentation of the underlying evidence. While the article presents multiple perspectives, it leans slightly towards emphasizing the negative impacts of political actions, which may affect its balance. The use of expert quotes adds credibility, but the lack of direct citations for some claims impacts source quality. Overall, the article serves the public interest by informing readers about the complexities of renewable energy development and its potential implications for policy and environmental sustainability.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The article presents a mix of factual claims, some of which are verifiable through external sources, while others require further investigation. For instance, the claim that President Trump signed an executive order halting wind energy projects on his first day in office is partially accurate; however, the specific details and implications of such an order need corroboration. The discussion on the growth of wind power over the past quarter-century is supported by data from the US Energy Information Administration, adding credibility to the claim. However, the link between whale deaths and offshore wind activities is contentious and lacks definitive evidence, as experts attribute these deaths to other causes like fishing nets and climate change. The article accurately reflects the industry's challenges, such as rising costs and supply chain issues, but the impact of Trump's policies versus financial and logistical factors is not entirely clear and requires more nuanced exploration.

6
Balance

The article attempts to present multiple perspectives on the challenges facing the offshore wind industry, including political, financial, and environmental viewpoints. It features quotes from industry experts, company representatives, and environmentalists, which helps provide a range of opinions. However, there is a noticeable lean towards emphasizing the negative impacts of Trump's policies without equally highlighting the industry's inherent challenges, such as inflation and supply chain issues. The environmental concerns related to whale deaths are discussed, but the article does not sufficiently explore the counterarguments or scientific evidence that might downplay the connection to offshore wind projects. This imbalance could lead readers to perceive a bias against the political actions taken during Trump's presidency.

7
Clarity

The article is generally well-structured and uses clear language to convey the complexities of the offshore wind industry's current situation. It logically progresses from discussing the immediate political actions to the broader industry challenges and environmental concerns. The use of quotes from experts and stakeholders helps clarify different viewpoints and adds depth to the discussion. However, the article could benefit from more explicit explanations of technical terms and industry-specific jargon, which may not be immediately accessible to all readers. Additionally, while the article covers a wide range of topics, the transitions between different sections could be smoother to enhance overall readability.

5
Source quality

The article cites various sources, including industry experts and organizations like the US Energy Information Administration and the American Clean Power Association. However, it lacks direct references to official documents or detailed attribution for some of the claims, such as the specifics of Trump's executive order. The reliance on statements from individuals with vested interests in the industry, such as company executives and trade association representatives, may introduce bias. Additionally, while the article mentions scientific studies regarding environmental impacts, it does not provide direct citations or detailed evidence from these studies, affecting the overall credibility of the sources.

6
Transparency

The article provides a general overview of the offshore wind industry's challenges and includes statements from various stakeholders, which adds some level of transparency. However, it does not clearly disclose the methodology for how certain data points, such as the growth of wind power capacity, were obtained or calculated. The potential conflicts of interest of quoted individuals, such as those representing industry groups, are not explicitly addressed, which could affect the impartiality of the information presented. Furthermore, the article does not sufficiently explain the basis for some of its claims, such as the specific impacts of Trump's executive order, leaving readers without a clear understanding of the underlying evidence.

Sources

  1. https://www.rystadenergy.com/news/global-offshore-wind-landmark-19gw
  2. http://acecomments.mu.nu/?post=355856http%3A%2F%2Facecomments.mu.nu%2F%3Fpost%3D355856
  3. https://www.saurenergy.me/top-5-trends-shaping-the-global-wind-power-industry-in-2025/
  4. http://acecomments.mu.nu/?post=361757v
  5. https://www.evwind.es/2025/02/13/global-cost-of-renewables-to-continue-falling-in-2025-as-china-extends-manufacturing-lead-bloombergnef/104374