Vineyard Wind Ships Out First Turbine From New Bedford

Vineyard Wind shipped out the first GE Haliade-X Wind Turbine Generator (WTG) from New Bedford to its home location over 30 miles from Cape Cod.

Foss Maritime, a U.S.-based service contractor, and Belgian-based DEME have partnered up to provide specialized barges to transport parts to the area. 

Currently, only two barges worldwide can transport Haliade-X WTG in an upright position, the Marmac, and the Foss Prevailing Wind. Both barges are 400ft long and located out of Massachusetts. 

The barges are specially designed by Barge Master with a patented control system and cylinders that actively support the platform and compensate for the barge’s motion. The platform allows for smooth transport of the components that reach over 700 feet when constructed. 

“It may look easy, but the safe transportation of these components miles over the open water is no small feat,” said  Klaus S. Moeller, Vineyard Wind CEO.  “While we’ve had many firsts, once this turbine is installed, it will stand as a proud symbol of American’s energy transition.  I want to thank all of our partners for their continued collaboration and look forward to celebrating the progress of our industry.”

Vineyard Wind has made headlines for becoming the first commercial-scale offshore wind farm to receive federal approval. The company is a joint venture between AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR), and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP).

The Marmac will take the initial load of three vertical towers, over 200 feet tall, along with three 321ft blades and the nacelle pod. The loads will be delivered by Foss to DEME Group’s Installer vessel 65 miles off of New Bedford for installation offshore.

“Over the past year, we have achieved significant milestones in the development of Avangrid’s Vineyard Wind 1, but the installation of the project’s first turbine stands as a singular landmark for offshore wind, clean energy, and climate action in the United States,” said Pedro Azagra Avangrid CEO. “We are proud that local union labor will pioneer the installation of the massive GE turbines that will harness the winds off the shores of Massachusetts to power more than 400,000 homes and businesses across the Commonwealth.”

Along with the 400,000 homes powered, Vineyard will generate 3,600 jobs and save consumers $1.4 billion over the first 20 years in the Commonwealth of Massachusettes. It will also reduce carbon emissions by 1.6 million metric tons per year, the equivalent of over 300,000 cars.