Progress Update on Vineyard Wind 1 Offshore Wind Farm

One year after GE Vernova confirmed materials defects in the wind turbine blades for the Massachusetts offshore wind farm, Vineyard Wind 1 is showing steady progress. Iberdrola, the parent company of Avangrid, along with Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, recently announced that they expect the project to reach commercial operations by the end of 2025.

In its mid-year financial presentation, Iberdrola revealed that 17 out of the 62 planned turbines for Vineyard Wind 1 are already exporting power, with 23 fully installed. The project is currently supplying around 30% of its full capacity of 806 MW, a significant improvement from the setbacks faced last year.

New Bedford Light, a local newspaper, reported that the pace of activity at the installation site has picked up, with barges making several trips since June to transport turbine components. The project has extended its lease on the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal until June 2026, indicating a commitment to completing the offshore wind farm.

Despite the challenges faced due to blade manufacturing issues, Vineyard Wind 1 has made significant strides in its construction. The project had 10 operating turbines delivering electricity to the grid in June 2024, and now approximately 40 turbines are in place, although the status of inspections and blade replacements remains unclear.

GE Vernova’s agreement to replace faulty blades with ones manufactured in France has helped overcome the initial setback, allowing Vineyard Wind 1 to resume progress towards completion. The project is a crucial step in the development of offshore wind energy in the United States, especially in light of past administration’s efforts to impede the industry’s growth.

Additionally, Iberdrola has secured all necessary federal permits for its second project, New England Wind 1 (791 MW), but awaits final agreements with states before commencing construction. Market uncertainties have led to delays in power purchase agreements for both New England Wind 1 and SouthCoast Wind, highlighting the challenges faced by offshore wind projects in the region.

Despite these obstacles, Vineyard Wind 1’s progress signals a positive outlook for the future of offshore wind energy in Massachusetts and the United States, with the project poised to contribute significantly to the region’s renewable energy goals.