GE Vernova Agrees to $10.5m Settlement for Vineyard Wind Blade Incident

Almost a year after the Vineyard Wind blade broke and scattered debris along the shores of Nantucket, blade manufacturer GE Vernova has agreed to pay a $10.5m settlement to the town. The incident, which occurred in July last year, resulted in the shutdown of the project and caused disruptions to the local economy.

A blade from one of the planned 62 turbines suffered damage, leading to fibreglass shards and foam being strewn across nearby beaches. An investigation revealed that the problem was due to faulty manufacturing at a factory in Gaspé, Canada, rather than a design flaw. Several blades were removed from the project, and after completing quality checks, the offshore wind farm was allowed to resume construction in January 2025.

Nantucket officials stated that the incident had a significant impact on local businesses and the island’s economy, particularly during the peak summer tourist season. As part of the settlement reached on July 10, GE Vernova will compensate the town and county of Nantucket for losses, damages, and injuries related to the blade failure.

A Community Claims Fund will be established using a portion of the settlement, allowing residents and business owners to submit claims for reimbursement. This fund aims to provide a low-cost way to compensate those affected for cleanup costs and business losses incurred as a result of the incident.

It is important to note that the agreement does not release Vineyard Wind or GE Vernova from liability in the event of a similar incident occurring in the future. The settlement serves as a means of addressing the immediate consequences of the blade failure and ensuring that affected parties are fairly compensated for their losses.