Nearly $19 billion worth of US wind and solar projects have been scrapped since President Donald Trump returned to the White House, according to new figures that reveal a sharp reversal in America’s clean energy drive.
The data, released by U.S. consultancy Atlas Public Policy, shows developers cancelled or froze renewable projects worth $18.6 billion this year. The report highlights how Trump’s rollback of subsidies and regulatory backing has upended a sector once seen as a cornerstone of the country’s energy future.
“Investments in clean power have dropped by more than 20% since January,” the group said in its Clean Economy Tracker. Spending fell to $15.8 billion this year, compared to $20.9 billion last year.
The cuts come after Trump rolled back subsidies and support for wind and solar projects. Industry analysts warn that the sudden shift could cause bankruptcies, job losses, and higher electricity prices.
For some companies, the impact is already severe. Danish turbine giant Orsted needed a $10 billion rights issue this year, partly because of U.S. policy shifts that hurt its operations.
Trump has shown no signs of changing course. This week, he wrote on Truth Social: “Any state that has built and relied on WINDMILLS and SOLAR for power is seeing RECORD BREAKING INCREASES IN ELECTRICITY AND ENERGY COSTS. THE SCAM OF THE CENTURY! We will not approve wind or farmer destroying Solar. The days of stupidity are over in the USA!!! MAGA.”
The administration’s axing of the Inflation Reduction Act, which provided subsidies for renewables, has made most new wind and solar projects uneconomical. The new stance effectively freezes the expansion of green power in the U.S.
Supporters of the energy transition fear the decision will leave the country unprepared for surging demand, especially from data centres.
“Renewables can be built and connected in a year or two, in a way that meets data centre developers’ timelines,” said Advait Arun, energy policy analyst at the Center for Public Enterprise. “If you’re ignoring renewables, then you’re missing a key part of the equation.”
Yet critics say wind and solar alone cannot keep the lights on. Unlike natural gas or coal, they cannot generate electricity around the clock. That limitation continues to fuel debate about how best to secure America’s energy future.
The numbers suggest a turning point: billions in projects cancelled, investors retreating, and the U.S. energy mix facing a deep divide. For ordinary households, the fight over renewables may soon show up in monthly bills.
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