Offshore

‘Incident’ at offshore wind farm leaves debris in water, on beaches

‘Incident’ at offshore wind farm leaves debris in water, on beaches
A GE Haliade-X Turbine Stands in the Vineyard Wind 1 Project Area 15 Miles South of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. Photo (Credit: Worldview Films)

Vineyard Wind, a joint venture between Avangrid and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, reported an “incident” occurred on Saturday regarding blade damage on one of its turbines.

Although Vineyard Wind has not yet clarified what the “incident” was, it said none of its employees or contractors were in the area at the time of the incident, and no injuries were reported. On Tuesday, the joint venture began mobilizing debris recovery teams on Nantucket to survey the southern-facing beaches of the island for the recovery of debris, and it continues to work with the U.S. Coast Guard to maintain a safety zone of 500 meters around the impacted turbine offshore.

GE, which produces the Haliade-X turbines used in Vineyard Wind, said it is conducting its own investigation of the incident, Cape Cod Times reported.

Vineyard Wind said it has successfully recovered three large fragments and will continue to monitor the offshore area for any floating debris with aerial overflights and vessel patrols. The joint venture said the fiberglass debris is non-toxic and ranges in size from pieces to larger sections, typically green or white in color. Any potential debris washing ashore will be pieces 1 square foot or less, Vineyard Wind said, which should only be picked up and collected by patrol teams.

CBS Boston reported that a total of south shore Nantucket beaches were closed to swimming to due the debris. Beachgoers were still allowed to walk on the beaches, but large pieces of fiberglass could be seen washed ashore.

“As part of its permitting, Vineyard Wind has detailed plans to guide its response to incidents such as this,” Vineyard Wind said in a statement. “Following those protocols, Vineyard Wind established a safety perimeter, and worked with the U.S. Coast Guard to issue notice to mariners. GE, as the project’s turbine and blade manufacturer and installation contractor, will now be conducting the analysis into the root cause of the incident. As that analysis takes place, Vineyard Wind will continue working with federal, state, tribal, and local stakeholders to ensure the health and safety of its workforce, mariners, and the environment.”

Vineyard Wind is located south of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, Massachusetts. The wind farm is still under construction, but has sent first power with 136 MW operational. Once fully operational, Vineyard Wind 1 will deliver 806 MW.