Vineyard Wind 1 Becomes Largest Operating Offshore Wind Farm in the US

June 26, 2024, by Adnan Memija

The Vineyard Wind 1 project is now delivering more than 136 MW to the electric grid in Massachusetts, making it the largest operating offshore wind project in the US.

Vineyard Wind 1, the first large-scale offshore wind project in the US, now has ten turbines in operation totalling approximately 136 MW, enough to power 64,000 homes and businesses in the Commonwealth, said Avangrid, one of the owners of the project.

The wind farm surpasses Ørsted’s South Fork which was completed earlier this year and has a 132 MW capacity from twelve turbines.

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The wind turbine installation campaign for the 806 MW Vineyard Wind 1 began in September 2023. A month later, the first GE Haliade-X 13 MW unit was installed at the site some 15 miles (approximately 24 kilometres) off the coast of Massachusetts by DEME’s jack-up Sea Installer.

The wind farm has currently installed 47 foundations and transition pieces and 21 turbines, with the installation of the 22nd turbine underway, according to Avangrid.

“With 10 turbines now in operation, Avangrid is delivering enough clean energy to power more than 60,000 homes and businesses in Massachusetts,” said Pedro Azagra, CEO of Avangrid.

In February, Vineyard Wind delivered approximately 68 MW from five turbines to the grid. Building on the 136 MW currently in operation, additional power is planned to be delivered to the grid sequentially, with each unit starting production once it completes the commissioning process.

The power from the project interconnects to the New England grid in Barnstable, transmitted by underground cables that connect to a substation further inland on Cape Cod.

Construction of the entire Vineyard Wind 1 project runs through the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal.

The offshore wind farm, developed by Avangrid and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, will feature 62 GE Haliade-X 13 MW wind turbines.

Vineyard Wind 1 will be the largest renewable energy facility in New England once fully operational, delivering 806 MW – enough clean electricity to power 400,000 homes and businesses, according to Avangrid.