RWE is facing pressure from more than 50 US organizations after reports that it is weighing a deal with the Trump administration to give up US offshore wind leases.
The reported arrangement would involve lease surrender in exchange for commitments linked to fossil fuel projects. In a letter to RWE CEO Markus Krebber, the organizations urged the company not to replace renewable energy plans with fossil fuel investments, warning of financial and reputational risks.
The groups also argued that the US government has no legal basis to refund offshore wind leases bought through federal auctions.
If RWE proceeds, it would follow TotalEnergies and Ocean Winds, which were reported to have reached similar arrangements involving offshore wind lease returns, payment refunds and fossil fuel project commitments in the United States.
The letter also pointed to RWE’s LNG-related agreements connected to Port Arthur LNG, Texas LNG and the Brunsbüttel LNG import terminal. The organizations said these projects conflict with the company’s climate position and raise environmental justice concerns.
RWE holds a 6 GW offshore wind seabed portfolio in the United States. Its assets include the Community Offshore Wind project off New York and New Jersey, and the 1.6 GW Canopy floating wind project off Humboldt County, California.
In April last year, RWE CEO Markus Krebber said the company was pausing all US offshore wind activities because of political uncertainty.
