The Vineyard Wind 1 project off southern New England now has 10 turbines in operation and is on track to soon install the 22nd turbine on the first utility-scale offshore wind project in U.S. waters, developer Avangrid Inc. said Tuesday.
“With 10 turbines now in operation, Avangrid is delivering enough clean energy to power more than 60,000 homes and businesses in Massachusetts,” said Avangrid CEO Pedro Azagra. “Our Vineyard Wind 1 project continues to demonstrate the significant benefits that offshore wind offers the New England region, delivering well-paying union jobs, local investment, and clean energy that is helping Massachusetts meet its growing demand for electricity.”
With a nameplate rating of 136 megawatts the 10 turbines are the leading edge of the project with 47 foundations and transition pieces and 21 turbines already installed toward the total of 62 generators. When complete the project will be rated at 806 MW.
“In February 2024, Vineyard Wind delivered approximately 68 MW from five turbines to the grid,” according to a June 25 statement from Avangrid. “Building on the 136 Megawatts currently in operation, additional power will be delivered to the grid sequentially, with each turbine starting production once it completes the commissioning process.”
On June 21 the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management announced its final approval of the construction and operations plan for Orsted’s Sunrise Wind 924 MW project 30 miles east of Montauk, N.Y.
To date the Biden administration’s Department of the Interior has approved the first eight commercial-scale offshore wind energy projects in federal waters.
“The approval of the Sunrise Wind Construction and Operations Plan is a significant step forward not only for this project but also for offshore wind in the United States,” said from Anne Reynolds, the American Clean Power Association’s vice president for offshore wind. “Sunrise Wind will harness natural wind resources to make clean electricity, reduce carbon emissions, and power nearly 600,000 homes for New Yorkers.”
