First five turbines now delivering energy from Vineyard Wind 1 in Massachusetts

The first five GE Haliade-X turbines at the Vineyard Wind 1 offshore wind farm have been powered up and are delivering clean energy to 30,000 homes and businesses in Massachusetts.

Vineyard Wind 1, the first large-scale offshore wind project in the United States, is now providing approximately 68 Megawatts of wind energy to the New England grid. Once fully operational, Vineyard Wind 1, a joint venture developed by Avangrid and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), will deliver 806 Megawatts – enough energy to power 400,000 homes and businesses in the state.

“This marks a turning point in the clean energy transition. After many decades of advocacy, research, policymaking, and finally construction, America’s offshore wind industry has gone from a dream to reality,” Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said. “Across Massachusetts, in 30,000 homes and businesses, when you turn on the light, you will now be using clean, affordable energy. This will make the air we breathe safer and healthier, save customers money, and bring us one step closer to achieving net-zero emissions. I’m grateful to the Legislature for their leadership in developing our offshore wind industry, state and local officials for their efforts, and the union workers who built this industry from the ground up.”

On Jan. 2, 2024, Vineyard Wind delivered approximately five megawatts of power from one turbine to the grid. Following that critical milestone, the project has provided power from each of the first five turbines intermittently, as it ramped up to initial operations. It is located 15 miles off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard. The power from the project interconnects to the New England grid in Barnstable, transmitted by underground cables that connect to a substation further inland on Cape Cod.

“Every milestone we achieve on Vineyard Wind 1 is special, but powering up these first turbines stands apart as an exceptional achievement for Avangrid, Massachusetts, and the nation,” Avangrid CEO Pedro Azagra said. “Each rotation of the blades, and every megawatt flowing to homes across Massachusetts, is a testament to the years of perseverance and partnership that have defined this trailblazing project. From the vision of our team, to the leadership of President Biden, Governor Healey, Speaker Mariano, and Senate President Spilka, to the talent and skill of the project’s local union workforce, the hard work of so many helped to finally bring offshore wind power to the United States. We should all take pride in writing this remarkable chapter of American clean energy history.”

So far, nine turbines have been successfully installed. The installation of the 10th is currently underway with preparations being made to transport the 11th turbine to the offshore project site. Once completed, the project will consist of 62 wind turbines.

“The winds of change are blowing through Massachusetts, as Vineyard Wind now powers 30,000 homes in our state with clean, renewable energy,” U.S. Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA), said. “With billions of dollars being unlocked from the Inflation Reduction Act to drive our clean energy revolution forward, Vineyard Wind is only the beginning. I will continue to push for the creation of good-paying union jobs across the shores of Massachusetts and in communities throughout our nation through my Offshore Wind Jobs and Opportunity Act.”