Vineyard Wind has commenced cable installation works for its offshore wind farm, the 800MW Vineyard Wind 1.
The work is being conducted by Prysmian Group, south of Martha’s Vineyard, 15 miles from shore.
Vineyard also expects to begin nearshore cable work off the south coast of Cape Cod in the coming days.
“For a project that has achieved many firsts, the beginning of offshore cable installation is perhaps the most significant we have achieved so far,” said Vineyard Wind CEO Klaus Moeller.
“To get to this point has required an amazing effort by the Vineyard Wind team and we are proud to work with Prysmian, a company with world class experience dedicated to creating jobs in Massachusetts.
“I want to thank all the local, state, and federal government agencies, which have been essential in thoroughly reviewing this project over the past five years and allowing us to reach this milestone.”
“Prysmian is proud to contribute to this important project that will the accelerate the United States towards the energy transition,” stated Hakan Ozmen, EVP Projects, Prysmian Group.
Prysmian is being supported by Foss Maritime, a US based, unionised maritime service company.
“Foss is extremely pleased to be part of the Vineyard Wind export cable installation program,” said Joel Whitman, President of Foss Offshore Wind.
“As a US company we are particularly proud to be involved in this milestone project for the US Offshore wind industry.”
The fully Jones Act compliant cable installation process permits the use of both US and specialised Europe-flagged vessels that work together.
Fishing vessel Fleet King, which is being provide by Sea Services, is working alongside the Cable Enterprise to ensure good communication with fishermen and other mariners in the area.
“We are thrilled to continue our relationship with Vineyard Wind who has committed to using local commercial fishermen to provide safety vessels for the construction phase of the nation’s first commercial scale offshore wind farm,” said Sea Services CEO, Gordon Videll.
In the coming weeks, Vineyard Wind will also begin near-shore at Covell’s Beach in Barnstable and will also employ fishing vessels to facilitate good communication with other local fisherman.
Vineyard Wind will begin delivering clean energy to Massachusetts in 2023.