Updated
A “significant piece” of the Vineyard Wind turbine blade that broke on Saturday, sending pieces of fiberglass to Nantucket, has detached and officials are expecting more debris to wash ashore.
Vineyard Wind released a statement on Wednesday, July 17, saying they had “observed compromise to the integrity of the GE Vernova blade.” What that compromise was, the company didn’t say. A statement also noted that more debris is falling into the ocean.
“While part of the blade remains attached to the turbine, we believe there is an increased possibility it could detach soon,” the statement reads. “There has been a 500-meter safety zone implemented around the turbine and GE Vernova blade since Saturday night, and it has been under constant surveillance.”
On Wednesday evening, the offshore wind developer stated that it is in the process of notifying federal officials, local authorities including on Martha’s Vineyard, and tribal nations.
“Vineyard Wind will continue to coordinate closely with its state, federal, local, and tribal partners to respond to this evolving situation while continuing to prioritize the safety of its personnel, its contractors, and the environment,” the statement reads.
A response team has also been mobilized.
The announcement follows Vineyard Wind CEO Klaus Moeller saying there was an urgent development happening regarding the turbine blade during a Nantucket select board meeting on Wednesday evening.
Wednesday’s statement was released less than an hour after the board meeting concluded.
On Thursday morning at 5:39 am, a Vineyard commercial fisherman in the area told The Times that the broken blade seems to have fallen off the turbine into the ocean and is floating toward Nantucket. He said that through marine radio, he heard two fishing vessels acting as “safety boats” that were “shepherding” the broken blade that fell into the water during the foggy morning.
Craig Gilvarg, Vineyard Wind’s spokesperson, did not respond to the Times’ queries regarding the witness’ comments, but released a statement for the company on Thursday at 11:20 am.
“This morning, a significant part of the remaining GE Vernova blade detached from the turbine,” the statement reads. “Maritime crews were onsite overnight preparing to respond to this development, though current weather conditions create a difficult working environment. Despite these challenging weather conditions, a fleet of vessels remains at sea managing the situation and working to remove bulk debris. We have deployed additional crews to Nantucket Island in anticipation that more debris could wash ashore tonight and tomorrow as we continue to monitor additional coastal communities.”
The U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center broadcast a notice on Thursday at 11:12 am, shortly before the offshore wind developer’s announcement, that a piece of debris 300 feet in length was reported around the safety zone area.
“All mariners are advised to use extreme caution,” the notice reads.
Nantucket residents and officials grilled the offshore wind company during Wednesday’s select board meeting, frustrated that foam and fiberglass had washed ashore on their beaches. While previous reports stated that the fiberglass came ashore on the south side of the island, some said at Wednesday’s meeting that debris had also reached northern beaches. Residents cited environmental and safety concerns — such as whether there is a possibility for contamination from chemicals like PFAS from the debris that fell off the Canadian-made blade. Others questioned if the project was scrutinized enough during permitting.
Nantucket mariners also criticized the offshore wind developer for waiting until Monday to inform the town about the damaged blade, two days after it was reported broken.
There was also a concern about future fractures and beach closures, citing other recent incidents. The Dogger Bank A offshore wind project in United Kingdom waters, also manufactured by GE Vernova, experienced damage to a turbine blade during installation.
Vineyard Wind and GE representatives did not have much new information and relayed similar information to what has been previously stated, saying they will need to follow up on some of the questions.
Good thing all those mainland Cape Codders funded Save Our Sound millions to keep wind turbines out of Nantucket Sound as the people of MV and Nantucket did nothing.
Let’s replace the wind turbines with oil wells.
Everyone who rented property and Nantucket this summer should get their money back & all the workers and companies that make their money during the 8 weeks of summer should be compensated by the wind company -Save the Whales!
Frank, Save the Lobsters! ?
And then put up some solar panels—in your backyard, on your roof, on your neighbors’ roof, down the street…
Wind turbines on land and in the sea are dangerous to birds, animals, marine life and shipping. They are intermittent energy sources, ineffective, too expensive and prone to damage.
Roy, if the wind turbines are so ineffective, why are the oil barons fighting so hard against them? Why are the Chinese investing so heavily in turbines?
So , after doing a little research, I found that this isn’t an uncommon event. Wind power monthly has some pretty interesting articles on blade failure. Unfortunately, this doesn’t look this be the last time we’re going to see something like this happen.
https://www.windpowermonthly.com/article/1878267/root-replacement-new-solution-catastrophic-failures-wind-turbine-blades