Feds Pause Vineyard Wind 1 Operation; Developer Says Damaged Blade at Risk of Detaching

July 18, 2024, by Adnan Memija

The US Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) has issued an order instructing Vineyard Wind to halt electricity production from all wind turbines following a blade failure incident on 13 July.

The 800 MW Vineyard Wind offshore wind farm is planned to feature 62 GE Vernova’s Haliade-X 13 MW wind turbines, each with a 220-metre rotor and 107-metre blades.

The wind farm began generating power in February, and by the end of June, ten turbines were supplying over 136 MW of electricity to the grid in Massachusetts.

Last weekend, a blade failure on the Vineyard Wind project resulted in debris washing up on beaches on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts.

BSEE said on 17 July, “Following the July 13, 2024, blade failure incident at Vineyard Wind, BSEE has issued a Suspension Order to Vineyard Wind to cease power production from all its wind turbine generators until it can be determined whether the blade failure affects any other VW turbines.”

“The Suspension Order suspends power production on the lease area and suspends installation of new wind turbine generator construction: Those operations will remain shut down until the suspension is lifted. BSEE has also issued a Preservation Order to safeguard any evidence that may be relevant to determining the cause of the incident.”

“As of this date, there are no reported injuries or harm to any marine resources or mammals from the incident. BSEE is onsite with Vineyard Wind as investigations are underway. BSEE will conduct an independent assessment to ensure the safety of future offshore renewable energy operations.”

Vineyard Wind, a joint venture between Avangrid and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), already started its debris clean-up and recovery efforts on Nantucket.

According to the firm, as of Wednesday morning, the company and its crews, removed approximately 17 cubic yards of fiberglass and foam debris, enough to fill more than six truckloads and several larger pieces that washed ashore.

Robert B. Our, a local construction firm, and National Resource Corporation are leading the cleanup operations. Vineyard Wind also said it mobilised shorebird monitors to conduct visual monitoring for state-listed and protected avian species.

“We’re making progress in the debris recovery efforts and mobilizing even more resources on the island to hasten the cleanup as quickly as possible. We continue to ask that members of the public avoid handling any of the debris, but report any debris sightings to Vineyard Wind or town officials for recovery,” said Klaus Moeller, CEO of Vineyard Wind.

Yesterday, Vineyard Wind said in a press release that there is an increased possibility that the remaining piece of the blade could detach soon.

“There has been a 500-meter safety zone implemented around the turbine and GE Vernova blade since Saturday night, and it has been under constant surveillance,” the company stated.

“We have mobilized our response team and have also witnessed new debris enter the water. Vineyard Wind is in the process of notifying the U.S. Coast Guard, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, the National Response Center, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Tribal nations, Regional Emergency Planning Committees for Dukes and Barnstable Counties, the Town of Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, and surrounding coastal communities.”