Vineyard Wind Turbine Blade Failure Halts Operations Off Massachusetts Coast

The Vineyard Wind offshore wind project off the coast of Massachusetts has been shut down until further notice due to a turbine blade failure that caused debris to wash up on Nantucket beaches.

The US Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) suspended operations on July 16, 2024, while an investigation is still underway.

The incident occurred on July 13, 2024, during the turbine’s commissioning phase while still being tested.

Vineyard Wind, the first major offshore wind farm in the United States, is facing a significant setback due to the collapse of a turbine blade by General Electric (GE).

The incident occurred at a crucial point for the United States offshore wind industry, which is critical to achieving President Joe Biden’s climate change goals but is already dealing with rising costs and delays.

A BSEE representative said in an emailed statement that no injuries were reported, but operations have been suspended until further notice.

The debris, which includes sharp, non-toxic fibreglass particles, is hazardous to swimmers and beachgoers.

As a result, Nantucket Island’s south shore beaches are temporarily closed.

Vineyard Wind, owned by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners in Denmark, and Avangrid, the US arm of Spanish utility Iberdrola, have sent out debris recovery teams to clean up the beaches.

On Tuesday, Vineyard Wind spokesperson Craig Gilvarg confirmed that GE would investigate the leading cause of the incident.

A company spokesperson stated that safety is a top priority at GE Vernova.

Vineyard Wind had cleared around 17 cubic yards of debris by morning on July 17, 2024, and was still deploying additional staff to speed up the cleanup process.

The corporation has increased its beach patrols to 35 personnel and contractors and has contracted with Robert B. Our, a local construction firm, and National Resource Corporation, an emergency response contractor, to lead cleanup efforts.

Vineyard Wind CEO Klaus Moeller appreciated the community’s cooperation, stating that they continue to progress in debris recovery efforts and facilitating additional personnel on the island to expedite the cleanup process.

Vineyard Wind urges the public to refrain from touching any debris and instead report any sightings to Vineyard Wind or town officials for recovery.

Despite major cleanup efforts, Vineyard Wind discovered an issue in the remaining piece of the turbine blade on July 17th evening, raising further concerns.

Since the day of the incident, a 500-meter safety zone has been maintained around the turbine, and the area is constantly monitored.

Vineyard Wind has informed several federal, state, municipal, and tribal organizations of the changing situation.

BSEE has issued a Suspension Order, halting production power from existing Vineyard Wind turbines and restricting the installation of new turbines until the precise cause for the blade failure is identified.

The BSEE has also issued a Preservation Order to protect any evidence related to the probe.

The agency is carrying out an unbiased assessment to assure the safety of future offshore renewable energy operations.

As cleanup and investigation efforts continue, Vineyard Wind remains committed to transparent communication with the community and stakeholders.

The project has installed only a small fraction of its intended 62 turbines, some of which are currently generating power.

It is expected to power around 400,000 houses when fully operational, supporting the Biden administration’s climate goals.

For now, the island’s residents’ and tourists’ safety and environmental conservation remain top priorities.

Reference: VineyardWind, BSEE

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