Vineyard Offshore, backed by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), announced the commissioning of 10 turbines from the Vineyard Wind 1 project, delivering over 136 megawatts (MW) of power to Massachusetts' electric grid. This makes Vineyard Wind 1 the largest operating offshore wind project in the United States.

The project’s 10 turbines, each contributing to the 136 MW output, can power 64,000 homes and businesses in the Commonwealth. To date, Vineyard Wind 1 has installed 47 foundations, transition pieces, and 20 turbines. Once fully operational, the project will consist of 62 turbines, delivering 806 MW—enough to supply electricity to 400,000 homes and businesses, making it New England’s largest renewable energy facility.

Klaus S. Moeller, CEO of Vineyard Wind, expressed pride in the project’s progress, emphasizing the creation of clean energy jobs and support for local communities. In February 2024, the project began delivering approximately 68 MW from five turbines, with additional power added sequentially as each turbine completes the commissioning process.

The power from Vineyard Wind 1 connects to the New England grid via underground cables in Barnstable, reaching a substation further inland on Cape Cod. Offshore wind is essential for the Northeast, especially to meet winter peak demand. An assessment by ISO New England in 2018 suggested that 800 MW of offshore wind during a cold snap could have saved ratepayers $40-45 million and avoided over 108,000 metric tons of carbon emissions.

Vineyard Wind is committed to building a skilled, diverse local workforce. The project’s collaboration with union leadership resulted in the creation of 937 union jobs, nearly double the initial commitment.

Construction of Vineyard Wind 1 began in late 2022, with significant milestones achieved in 2023, including the completion of the nation’s first offshore substation. Located 15 miles off Martha’s Vineyard, the project is expected to generate electricity for 400,000 homes, create 3,600 full-time equivalent job years, save customers $1.4 billion over 20 years, and reduce carbon emissions by 1.6 million metric tons annually.

Source: vineyardoffshore.com