Avangrid finalizes agreement to oversee operations and management for Vineyard Wind 1
Avangrid will become the operations and management services provider for Vineyard Wind 1, the first commercial-scale offshore wind project in the United States.
Vineyard Wind 1 is an 800-megawatt offshore wind project that is currently under construction off the coast of Massachusetts. It is owned in a 50-50 joint venture between Avangrid and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) funds CI II and CI III.
“Avangrid is proud to pioneer the offshore wind industry in the United States, and by leveraging the global experience of the Iberdrola group and a skilled and talented local workforce, we are well positioned to maximize the operation and performance of the historic, nation-leading Vineyard Wind 1 project,” Pedro Azagra, CEO of Avangrid, said. “Offshore wind represents a tremendous opportunity to advance the United States’ ambitious climate goals, and the completion and successful operation of Vineyard Wind 1 will lay the groundwork for the continued growth of the industry in the decades to come, including Avangrid’s robust 4.9 gigawatt project pipeline.”
Avangrid will be responsible for overseeing the operation and management of the facility once construction is complete and commercial operations begin. It will oversee critical tasks such as turbine, cable and substation maintenance, coordination of contractors, 24/7 control center services, trading, and assets management. The company will hire approximately 20 technically qualified employees.
Vineyard Wind 1 will generate clean energy for over 400,000 homes and businesses across the Commonwealth. It will be delivering clean energy in 2023 and achieve commercial operations in 2024. The project will reduce carbon emissions by over 1.6 million tons per year while saving ratepayers $1.4 billion over the life of the project.
