Vineyard Wind believes there is an increased possibility the remaining piece of a damaged GE Vernova blade could detach from a turbine at the 804MW Vineyard Wind project off the coast of Massachusetts.
One of the blades on the project failed on Saturday, leaving debris washing up on beaches on the Massachusetts island of Nantucket. Most of the blade remains attached to the turbine.
“There has been a 500-metre safety zone implemented around the turbine and GE Vernova blade since Saturday night, and it has been under constant surveillance,” the project said.
“We have mobilised our response team and have also witnessed new debris enter the water,” the project added, and said that it is in the process of notifying the US Coast Guard, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, and a raft of other local agencies.
“Vineyard Wind will continue to coordinate closely with its state, federal, local, and tribal partners to respond to this evolving situation while continuing to prioritise the safety of its personnel, its contractors, and the environment,” the project team said.
Vineyard Wind spokesperson Craig Gilvarg said the scheme has implemented a complete stop on power production for Vineyard Wind 1, and BSEE issued a Work Suspension Order on Monday afternoon, 15 July.
“Vineyard Wind is in full compliance with the order, and is working in collaboration with BSEE to support its assessment and advance critical safety response and debris recovery efforts,” he added.