First wind turbine installed at Vineyard Wind 1 offshore wind project
The first GE Haliade-X Wind Turbine Generator (WTG) was successfully installed recently at the Vineyard Wind 1 offshore wind project in Massachusetts.
The completed turbine, which is comprised of one tower, three blades, and one nacelle, represents the largest turbine in the western world, with a nameplate capacity of 13 megawatts. It is capable of providing power to more than 6,000 homes and businesses in Massachusetts.
“This is a monumental achievement and a proud day for offshore wind in the United States that proves this industry is real and demonstrates Avangrid’s steadfast commitment to helping the Northeast region meet its clean energy and climate goals,” Avangrid CEO Pedro Azagra said. “While this is a landmark for this first-in-the-nation project and the industry, we remain focused on the important work ahead to continue the successful installation campaign of these massive turbines and deliver the first power to Massachusetts homes and businesses this year.”
Avangrid and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), a leader in green energy investment, are the developers of this project.
“This complete turbine is a monument to the hard work and belief in our construction and project teams, and countless partners in our neighboring communities,” Tim Evans, partner and Head of North America for CIP, said. “Vineyard Wind is the future of American offshore wind, and it’s a future full of clean, sustainable energy and tremendous potential for job creation and reducing carbon pollution. Offshore wind continues to be a cornerstone in our investment strategy, with the U.S. market playing a central role.”
An 806-megawatt project located 15 miles off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard, Vineyard Wind will generate electricity for more than 400,000 homes and businesses in Massachusetts, save customers $1.4 billion over the first 20 years of operation, and reduce carbon emissions by more than 1.6 million metric tons per year.
“Having the first offshore wind turbine in the water for the first commercial offshore wind farm in the US is an important symbolic milestone for our company, our customers, and our industry,” Jan Kjaersgaard, CEO GE Vernova Offshore Wind, said. “It shows that our teams are making tangible progress on delivering on the significant potential of offshore wind. We are particularly proud to be using our Haliade-X 13 MW turbine to support Vineyard Wind in this endeavor and look forward to continuing to work together with them and all of our partners to bring this historic project to life.”
Ultimately, the project will consist of 62 wind turbines to generate 806 megawatts, enough to power more than 400,000 homes and businesses in Massachusetts.
Vineyard Wind began offshore construction in late 2022, achieved steel-in-the-water in June, and completed the nation’s first offshore substation in July.
