Deep insight: Trump continues attacks on Wind Energy
This week, the Trump Administration ordered Orsted, a Danish energy company, to stop construction on an offshore wind project. It was significant as construction is at 80% completion with 45 out of 65 turbines already installed.
The $1.5b project was to produce enough electricity to power 350,000 homes and was stopped as the federal government needs to review and “address concerns related to the protection of national security interests of the United States.’
It’s the latest salvo in a series of measures the Trump Administration has undertaken to reduce the construction of wind energy projects including:
In April, Equinor was ordered to stop work on an 810MW offshore project in New York (costing $50m a week).
Court filings showed last week the US Interior Department is considering revoking permits for the Maryland Offshore Wind Project.
A probe was opened into the ‘effects on the national security of imports of wind turbines and their parts and components’ with potential tariffs of 25–50% expected.
Halting the sale of new offshore leases and pausing permitting of all developments on federal lands and waters.
Infrastructure investment requires trust and consistency in government promises to reduce risk. Political risk is becoming an increasingly important consideration in the US and while this administration is favorable to nuclear power, the next president may oppose it.
This changing risk calculation has already had an impact on the renewable energy landscape with the first half of 2025 seeing a reallocation of investment dollars from the US, with spending falling by $20.5 billion, or 36%, from the second half of 2024.
At the same time, investment announcements fell by nearly 20% to $15.8bn this year, compared to $20.9bn in the same period in 2024.
It’s not just at the Federal level as since January 47 states introduced more than 300 bills targeting renewables siting. Viewed more broadly, at the state level, activity has been negative with 49% of all proposed bills attempting to restrict clean energy siting.
Political risk is rising and will increasingly weigh on construction firms’ backlogs in the years ahead.
In this issue there are:
8 Startup Fundings
11 Policy and Regulatory Changes
9 New National Infrastructure Projects & Priorities
0 New investment funds
0 Acquisitions
6 News articles
14 new jobs posted - view here
Reading time: 12 min
Startup Funding
Emissions Tracking
Acembee, a Danish startup, raised €1.2m in funding. They are developing a platform to help construction managers meet legal climate reporting requirements on CO2 emissions by collecting energy data from smart meters, utility bills and on-site sensors and then analyzing the data to generate lifecycle assessment (LCA) reports and highlighting opportunities to reduce energy waste. More here.
Notes:
Denmark has new national climate rules which have placed a 1.5 kg CO₂e/m²/year cap on emissions during construction.
Fleet Management
Heave, a Florida startup, raised $7m in Series A funding. They are building an ‘Uber for heavy equipment repair’ offering companies access to certified, vetted mobile mechanics who can repair machines on site. More here.
Automated Construction
Reframe Systems, a Boston startup, raised $20m in Series A funding. They have developed microfactories which use AI and robotics to reduce the time it takes to build homes which can be deployed in a location in 100 days and can manufacture 5 single family homes a week. More here.
AI
InstaLILY, a New York startup, raised $25m in funding. They are building ‘AI Teammates’ to execute domain specific workflows in complex, distribution heavy and regulated businesses such as construction supply, industrial parts and insurance. More here.
Notes:
InstaLILY is built on the premise that people want AI which completes tasks for them, not just copilots which provide suggestions.
They do so by training AI with domain specific context (e.g understanding construction processes and terminology).
This is different to Horizontal AI platforms which provide chatbots focusing on providing suggestions or surfacing information.
Their process involves three steps:
Undertake workshops to learn customer requirements
Build access to contexts (e.g your ERP, CRM etc)
Deliver your ‘InstaWorkers.’
There are three InstaWorkers:
Sales
Find opportunities, send follow ups, send quotesService
Read issues, find parts and draft a reply to customersOps
Clear backlog, fix small errors and continue the work
Second Note:
InstaLILY publishes a newsletter called ‘The AI Dispatch’ with 6.3k subscribers.
It provides a weekly update on the AI news which is relevant to industrial and distribution operators such as major technology shifts to real world developments.
The aim is to help leaders stay informed, make smart decisions and see how and where they can apply AI.
By showing up in their inbox every week, InstaLILY builds a long-term relationship with its ideal customers.
It is similar to sponsoring an industry podcast or newsletter keeping the brand visible and top of mind when buyers are ready.
For AI construction startups, this playbook could be copied and executed at relatively low cost.
Layout
Mechasys, a Canadian startup, raised $23m in Series A funding. They have developed a laser projector that displays layout plans directly on construction sites and they also provide a software suite to allow teams to manage and modify the blueprints as required using computer vision. More here.
Home Services
Sequifi, a Utah startup, raised $6.7m in Seed funding. They are building a pay, forecasting and workforce management platform for home services companies offering HR, Pay and Performance services such as onboarding, commission calculation and LMS for home services companies from HVAC to electrical services. More here.
Supply Chain
Lignufy, a Czech startup, raised €40,000 in funding. They are building a platform to digitize and streamline the buying and selling of wood materials and developing financing and logistics modules. More here.
Labor
Pintarnya, an Indonesian startup, raised $16.7m in Series A funding. They are building an employment platform focusing on blue collar and informal workers finding roles as well as offering healthier lending options as traditional credit scoring models rely on steady monthly income and bank account activity. More here.
Policy and Regulatory Changes
US
Trump admin blocks funds for farmers who want solar
The Rural Energy for America Program has helped American farmers pay for solar panels but will now face restrictions.
An internal memo notes that solar projects with any of the following characteristics will no longer receive loan guarantees:
Ground-mounted projects over 50 kilowatts
Projects on land certified as cropland by the Farm Service Agency.
Plots which cannot show ‘historical energy use.’
Projects which use ‘systems consisting of any component made in a country named as a foreign adversary.’
Notes:
Since 2014, the Rural Energy for America Program program has awarded around $1.2 billion in grants and $2.5 billion in loan guarantees for solar in rural areas nationwide.
New visas paused for commercial truck drivers, Rubio says
The federal government will pause issuing new visas for commercial truck drivers.
Around 18% of working drivers are immigrants.
This comes after in April, Trump signed an executive order requiring the Department of Transportation to ensure drivers who couldn't demonstrate proficiency in English were taken off the road.
Notes:
The trucker shortage has been cited as a contributing factor to rising inflation, given the lack of enough drivers to move goods.
This could have downstream impacts on the construction supply chain as tighter driver supply could result in upward pressure on freight rates and delivery times impacting costs and project schedules.
FTA Proposes Removal of Carbon Cost Metric from Transit Grant Criteria
The Federal Transit agency has proposed updated guidelines to remove the "social cost of carbon" calculation.
This is part of the rating criteria for transit grants under the Capital Investment Grant (CIG) program.
The CIG is the federal government's largest discretionary grant program to fund transit capital investments, including heavy rail, commuter rail, light rail, streetcars, and bus rapid transit.
Trump administration to revoke approval for 2.2-GW Maryland Offshore Wind
In a court filing the Department of the Interior said it intends to revoke the approved construction and operations plan (COP) for US Wind’s 2.2 GW Maryland Offshore Wind project.
The filing was made by a property owner who alleged that the Biden administration’s approval of the COP violated the Coastal Zone Management Act.
The Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (Permitting Council) announced a first-of-its-kind agreement with the State of Alaska.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) provides for federal permitting assistance through the Permitting Council’s FAST-41 program.
Under this, the state and the federal government will work together to streamline the permitting process for critical infrastructure projects across Alaska.
To Boost Housing, Chicago Kills Parking Minimums
The Chicago City Council voted unanimously to pass an ordinance eliminating parking minimums near public transit.
Removing zoning regulations that mandate a minimum number of parking spaces is a growing trend across the US.
This reduces building costs and encourages affordable housing.
Germany
Watchdog warns Germany’s climate and infrastructure fund lacks clear targets
Germany's national Court of Auditors has called for a clear focus and a narrow definition of what constitutes investments in the €500b Special Fund for Infrastructure and Climate Neutrality.
They stated that the fund was set up with climate neutrality as an aim with no clear criteria or targets what this means in practice.
Auditors say payments from the fund must be limited to ‘real investments’ and not include running costs such as wages.
Norway
Norway wealth fund excludes Caterpillar over West Bank links
Norway’s $2 trillion sovereign wealth fund excluded heavy construction equipment maker Caterpillar.
This is based on Israel’s use of its bulldozers to destroy Palestinian property in Gaza and the West Bank.
Prior to its divestment, the fund held a 1.17 percent stake in Caterpillar valued at $2.1bn.
Japan
Japan proposes 10-year extension for offshore wind farm leases to ease cost pressures
Japan's industry and land ministries proposed revising guidelines to extend offshore wind project leases by 10 years, from the current 30 years.
The current guidelines require construction, operation, and decommissioning (facility removal) within the 30-year permit period, after which a new tender is held.
This would mean actual operations typically last only about 20 years.
The proposed revision would allow operators to renew their permits if they meet certain conditions.
Notes:
Japan is aiming to have 10 gigawatts of offshore wind power capacity by the end of the decade, and wants to boost that to 30-45 gigawatts by 2040.
It had 0.3 GW at the end of 2024.
Australia
Labor pauses building code in first post-roundtable move
The government will introduce a four-year pause on non-essential changes to the National Construction Code (NCC) to boost homebuilding.
They will also fast track the assessment of more than 26,000 homes currently waiting for approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
The NCC pause will last until mid-2029, and exclude essential changes around safety and quality.
While the pause is underway, the government will review how the code is developed and how often it is updated.
Notes:
The current Australian government has set a target of 1.2m homes to be built by June 2029.
Nigeria
FG constitutes national building code advisory committee
The Federal Government has constituted the National Building Code Advisory Committee (NBCAC).
This is to strengthen Nigeria’s building and construction industry on a firm foundation of standards, regulations, and professionalism.
National Infrastructure Projects & Priorities
US
FERC approves NextEra waiver needed for Duane Arnold nuclear plant restart
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved a waiver request that will allow NextEra Energy to restart the Duane Arnold nuclear power plant by the end of 2029.
The 600-MW, single unit plant was closed in 2020 due to challenging economic conditions.
US solar plant construction is on a record-breaking spree — for now
The power industry is building more solar than any other type of power plant.
Almost 12 gigawatts of new solar capacity joined the grid in the first half of the year.
21 gigawatts more is slated for completion by the end of the year.
Developers are racing to complete installations before Trump’s policy changes come into effect.
Notes:
64 gigawatts of new power capacity additions are expected this year.
This would set the record for new power plant construction (58GW was added in 2002).
Donald Trump’s attacks on renewables sector quash nearly $19bn worth of projects
Clean energy projects worth $18.6bn have been cancelled this year, compared with just $827mn in 2024.
Investment announcements fell by nearly 20 per cent to $15.8bn this year, compared to $20.9bn in the same period in 2024.
UK
UK green power surges with record approvals for new renewable energy capacity
This quarter, over 16.1 GW (across 323 projects) of new renewable capacity was given permission to start.
This is alongside an increase in planning applications from developers of large-scale batteries to help balance out electricity supplies.
More than 100 planning applications for battery energy storage systems were filed between April and June 2025, covering a combined 8.4GW of capacity.
Notes:
The government wants 95% of Britain’s power generation to be carbon-free by 2030.
They estimate Britain will need about 23-27GW of battery storage by 2030.
This goal has been impacted by the speed of grid connections and legal challenges by local opponents of the projects.
Green light for £10bn data hub prep works in Northumberland
Preparatory works have been signed off for a £10bn hyperscale data centre.
QTS secured outline consent in May for up to 10 data centre buildings totalling 540,000 sq m, plus substations, emergency generators and ancillary structures.
China
China calls on state-owned firms to boost industrial aid to Tibet
Chinese state-owned enterprises should deepen industrial aid to Tibet, including increasing infrastructure investment and development.
The commission overseeing state-owned assets emphasised more targeted measures, including developing advantageous industries that suit local conditions in Tibet.
Japan
Mitsubishi Exit Deals Blow to Japan’s Offshore Wind Ambitions
In February, Mitsubishi announced it was reviewing business plans for the three offshore wind projects due to a changing macroeconomic environment.
It had won the rights to develop and operate the sites in 2021.
It has now been revealed they will withdraw from these projects.
Notes:
Japan is aiming to have 10 gigawatts of offshore wind power capacity by the end of the decade, and wants to boost that to 30-45 gigawatts by 2040.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi’s Humain to Open Data Centers With US Chips in 2026
Saudi Arabia's new artificial intelligence company, Humain, has broken ground on its first data centers in the kingdom.
It is owned by the kingdom’s $925 billion Public Investment Fund.
Locations in the capital of Riyadh and the Eastern Province’s Dammam are expected to launch in the second quarter, with an initial capacity of as much as 100 megawatts each.
Malaysia
Gamuda, Gentari Tie Up to Develop 1.5 Gigawatts Solar Project
Infrastructure firm Gamuda Bhd. and clean energy company Gentari Sdn. will jointly develop ~1.5 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity.
The companies will develop solar photovoltaic power plants paired with battery energy storage systems.
Hyperscale data centers in Malaysia are projected to require over 5 gigawatts of reliable power by 2035.
News
Soft US Housing View Sends Australia’s Reece Tumbling Most Since 1978
Reece Ltd, a plumbing supplies company, warned of weakness in the US housing market.
They also said they anticipated the US real estate market to be constrained for the next 12 to 18 months amid affordability challenges.
How US nuclear sanctions on China backfired
European contractors stuck in neutral as growth stalls in 2025
British Summers Are Getting Hotter. So Are Houses.
As Housing Demand Continues to Fall, Builders Get Creative
If I missed anything this week, please reply and let me know! I’ll make sure to include it next week.