In partnership with GE Vernova, Vineyard Wind is making significant headway in resolving the turbine blade damage incident that occurred on July 13, 2024. The companies have successfully executed controlled cutting operations on turbine AW-38, substantially reducing the risk of additional debris entering the ocean. This marks a crucial milestone in the ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and continuity of the offshore wind project.
On August 11 and 12, coordinated maritime and land-based teams worked to remove substantial portions of the damaged blade. The operation involved mobilizing multiple vessels to secure and contain debris while land-based crews managed debris recovery.
Following these efforts, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) issued an updated Suspension Order, allowing Vineyard Wind to resume specific activities, such as installing towers and nacelles—components unaffected by the blade incident. However, the order maintains restrictions on blade installation and power production until further assessments are completed.
Klaus S. Møller, CEO of Vineyard Wind, emphasized the rigorous planning and safety measures that have been integral to the recovery process: “The updated Order issued by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement reflects the unity of effort, extensive planning, independent third-party validation, and relentless focus on safety that went into developing our action plan to secure the remainder of the damaged blade and get this critical project back on track. As we take these important steps to resume installation activities, starting with towers and nacelles during GE Vernova’s ongoing blade inspection process, the safety of personnel and the environment remains our highest priority.”
Roger Martella, Chief Sustainability Officer at GE Vernova, underscored the importance of removing any blade components that could pose further risks: “Our primary focus continues to be removing the parts of the blade that pose any risk of contributing further debris into the ocean. We are thankful for our stakeholders, partners, and the skilled professionals at the site and behind the scenes for their unrelenting commitment to safe execution of these plans and the progress and risk mitigation of the last few days.”
Updating the Suspension Order followed extensive consultations with federal agencies and third-party experts. This included an independent structural load analysis by Det Norske Veritas (DNV), a certified verification agent approved by BSEE. The analysis confirmed that Vineyard Wind could safely proceed with the tower and nacelle installation.
On August 13, the Foss Prevailing Wind barge departed from the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal, transporting several tower sections and one nacelle to the offshore site. Additionally, the barge carried a rack of three blades solely for balanced transportation, which will be returned to the terminal later in the week, as blade installation is still on hold.
To maintain safety around the AW-38 turbine, the U.S. Coast Guard has established a 500-meter exclusion zone. Vineyard Wind and GE Vernova actively monitor the area with a fleet of vessels, aerial surveys, and Coast Guard modeling. Resources are on standby to assist in debris containment and recovery, in compliance with a federal preservation order that mandates all debris be handled by authorized personnel only.
Since the blade incident, Vineyard Wind has been adhering to its federally approved emergency response plan, swiftly activated following the event. The company’s Incident Management Team, trained under the federal Incident Command System, has implemented a comprehensive air, land, and sea debris recovery system. Communication with Tribal Nations, federal and state officials, local communities, and first responders has been maintained throughout the process to provide timely updates on debris impacts.
Upon completion, Vineyard Wind is expected to deliver renewable energy to approximately 400,000 homes and businesses in Massachusetts. The project will also contribute to the state’s economic growth by creating around 3,600 full-time equivalent job years and is projected to save customers about $1.4 billion over its first 20 years. Additionally, it will significantly reduce carbon emissions, cutting more than 1.6 million metric tons annually—the equivalent of removing approximately 325,000 cars from the road each year.
