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Wind energy company Orsted plans to reduce its global workforce by 25% by the end of 2027, citing the need to streamline operations and sharpen its focus on Europe, as a result of the Trump administration's suspension of new wind power projects.
Chief Executive Rasmus Errboe said employees were informed that the company would be parting ways with “many skilled and valued colleagues” over the next three years.
The firm, which currently employs around 8,000 people, expects the reductions to affect roughly 2,000 roles, including 500 by the end of this year. The cuts will come through a combination of natural attrition, divestments, outsourcing, and layoffs.
The Danish energy firm said the changes are designed to create “a more efficient and flexible organization” and deliver annual savings of about 2 billion Danish krona ($311million) starting in 2028.
Refocus on Europe after US project setbacks
Errboe said the cuts are a “necessary consequence” of Orsted’s decision to complete its large-scale construction projects and reposition for future growth opportunities.
The announcement follows a challenging period for the company, marked by regulatory disruptions in the US. Earlier this year, the Trump administration ordered Orsted to halt work on its Revolution Wind project off Rhode Island’s coast. The project, which was 80% complete and expected to power 350,000 homes, was later cleared to continue after a court overturned the order last month.
Donald Trump has taken a more skeptical stance toward renewable energy. On his first day in office, he signed an executive order suspending new or renewed onshore and offshore wind leases, saying the US was “not going to do the wind thing.”
Orsted also lowered its full-year guidance in September, citing weaker-than-expected offshore wind speeds across its global portfolio.
Preparing for the next phase
Errboe said the restructuring will allow Orsted to focus on “value-accretive offshore wind projects” in Europe and strengthen its competitiveness as the company prepares to finalize its major construction commitments.
Orsted’s shares rose 0.7% in European trading on Thursday following the announcement. The firm’s stock had come under pressure earlier this year amid uncertainty surrounding its American operations.
The company said the reorganization represents a pivotal step in aligning its workforce with future priorities while maintaining its long-term commitment to renewable energy. The cuts will require Orsted’s people leaders to manage large-scale workforce transitions, retention risks, and employee morale during a period of significant organizational change.
