Warning Issued by US Coast Guard Following Rotor Blade Incident at Vineyard Wind Farm

The U.S. Coast Guard is urging caution to mariners in the area of the Vineyard Wind offshore wind farm off Nantucket, Rhode Island after a 300-foot-long piece of debris was reported in the water following the breakage of a rotor blade. Vineyard Wind, a joint venture between Avangrid and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partner, reported the blade fracture on Saturday, with debris washing ashore in Nantucket and leading to beach closures. A significant portion of the remaining blade separated from the turbine, prompting crews to work in challenging weather conditions to manage the situation and remove debris.

The U.S. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) has issued a stay order to Vineyard Wind, suspending all electricity production and construction activities due to the blade failure. BSEE will conduct an independent assessment to ensure future offshore renewable energy activities are safe. The Vineyard Wind project, which began feeding electricity into the grid in January with ten turbines in operation, will ultimately consist of 62 GE Haliade-X wind turbines generating 806 MW of power, enough for over 400,000 Massachusetts homes and businesses.

Vineyard Wind made history as the first commercial offshore wind farm in the U.S. to receive federal approval in May 2021. Construction began in late 2022, with major milestones reached in June and July 2023. The project is connected to the New England power grid via underground cables to a substation on Cape Cod and represents a significant step in expanding renewable energy sources in the region.

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