Nantucket Reaches $10.5 Million Settlement with GE Vernova Over Wind Turbine Blade Failure
Nantucket’s city government has finalized a $10.5 million settlement agreement with GE Vernova, the manufacturer of the offshore wind turbine blade that failed in 2024, causing debris to litter the coastline. The Town of Nantucket praised GE Vernova for its proactive approach in reaching the agreement, although it was noted that the developer of the Vineyard Wind farm is not directly involved in the settlement.
A significant portion of the settlement funds will be allocated to a Community Claims Fund, managed by a third party, to compensate residents and local businesses for any economic losses incurred. Claims can be submitted over the next six months, with supporting evidence required to substantiate the expenses or damages.
Background of the Settlement
The settlement pertains to the incident involving the failure of a turbine blade on one of the GE Vernova Haliade-X turbines located approximately 15 miles southwest of Nantucket. The wind farm project had initially reported successful power generation in early 2024, with 10 turbines commissioned by mid-year out of the planned 62 turbines.
On the night of July 13, a malfunction caused one of the massive 350-foot blades to fail, leading to debris being scattered in the ocean and washing up on Nantucket’s beaches. Cleanup efforts were extensive, as foam, fiberglass, and other debris littered the shores during peak tourist season.
Resolution and Remediation Efforts
GE Vernova promptly identified a manufacturing flaw at its Quebec plant, attributing the issue to improper adhesion that should have been caught during quality control checks. Following the incident, installation at the wind farm was halted for months as inspections were conducted on all blades, with deviations leading to the replacement of blades from a European facility.
Despite the setback, Vineyard Wind, a joint venture between Avangrid and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, affirmed its commitment to the project. While one turbine was commissioned in early 2025, the overall project timeline remains uncertain.
Industry Challenges and Future Prospects
Critics of offshore wind power seized on the incident as evidence of the risks associated with the sector, with some opposing further development. The Trump administration’s policies have also created uncertainties for future offshore wind projects, leading to delays in several planned initiatives within the region.
While Vineyard Wind and Revolution Wind continue to progress, other projects in the area have been put on hold. Despite challenges, stakeholders remain optimistic about the potential of offshore wind energy and are working towards addressing safety and operational concerns for sustainable development.
