Trump administration permitting delays threaten 92 GW of new electricity supply
8 reported1 unconfirmed
A new study from consulting firm Wood Mackenzie reports that permitting delays pushed by the Trump administration threaten to derail 92 gigawatts of clean power, even as electricity demand from AI data centers rises. The report states that permitting changes and federal funding withdrawals have already led to the cancellation of 7 gigawatts of generating capacity on federal land in 2025. Additional scrutiny could cancel another 12 gigawatts on federal land and 80 gigawatts on private property, affecting more than $121 billion in energy investment. The increased permitting friction stems from an August 2025 order from U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, which sought to “reign in environmentally damaging wind and solar projects.” While wind and solar have been the main targets, energy storage projects have also been canceled, with most permitting woes concentrated in Oregon, Alabama, Maine, Minnesota, and Montana. Solar projects sited on or near private wetlands appear most at risk, while wind farms have been scrutinized under airspace regulations. The report notes that renewables represented nearly 90% of the record 53 GW of new generating capacity added in 2025.
What’s reported
Permitting delays threaten 92 GW of clean power, according to a Wood Mackenzie study.
Permitting changes and federal funding withdrawals led to cancellation of 7 GW of generating capacity on federal land in 2025.
Additional scrutiny could cancel 12 GW on federal land and 80 GW on private property.
The federal challenges affect more than $121 billion in energy investment.
The increased permitting friction stems from an August 2025 order from Interior Secretary Doug Burgum.
Most permitting woes are concentrated in Oregon, Alabama, Maine, Minnesota, and Montana.
Solar projects on or near private wetlands appear most at risk; wind farms scrutinized under airspace regulations.
Renewables represented nearly 90% of the record 53 GW of new generating capacity added in 2025.
Open questions
It is unclear how solar projects will be affected in the coming years given the Trump administration’s recent decision to lift protections for 80% of U.S. wetlands.
Key figures
Doug Burgum, U.S. Secretary of the Interior
Wood Mackenzie, consulting firm
BloombergNEF, market forecasters
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Sources: TechCrunch
