Offshore wind developer Vineyard Wind has dispatched teams to Nantucket Island’s beaches following damage to one of its turbine blades. The incident occurred on Saturday, prompting immediate action to address potential debris on the popular tourist destination.
Vineyard Wind announced on Tuesday that it is deploying teams to recover debris on south-facing beaches of Nantucket. The company is also collaborating with the U.S. Coast Guard to enforce a 500-meter (1,640 feet) safety zone around the affected turbine. The debris is described as nontoxic fiberglass fragments, with individual pieces no larger than one square foot.
“Vineyard Wind is fully committed to a swift and safe recovery of all debris, with an unwavering focus on community safety and environmental protection,” the company stated.
A joint venture between Avangrid and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, Vineyard Wind reported that no personnel or third parties were near the turbine during the incident. The blade manufacturer and installation contractor, GE, will conduct a thorough analysis to determine the root cause of the damage.
The wind turbines from Vineyard Wind began contributing electricity to the grid last winter. The company plans to deploy trained personnel over the coming days to ensure all debris is collected and removed safely.