First major US offshore wind farm sending power to 30,000 homes

Avangrid

22/02/2024 17:21

Feb 22 (Reuters) - Vineyard Wind, the first large-scale
U.S. offshore wind farm, is sending enough power from five
turbines off the Massachusetts coast to power 30,000 homes, the
project's owners said on Thursday.
    The announcement is a key milestone for both the project and
the budding U.S. offshore wind industry, which has been plagued
by soaring costs and delays. The sector is a critical part of
President Joe Biden's goal to decarbonize the U.S. power sector
and combat climate change.
    Vineyard Wind is providing 68 megawatts of electricity to
the New England grid, according to join owners Avangrid  AGR.N 
and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners. Once it is completed, it
is expected to supply 806 MW from 62 turbines, enough to power
400,000 homes and businesses.
    "This marks a turning point in the clean energy transition.
After many decades of advocacy, research, policymaking, and
finally construction, America's offshore wind industry has gone
from a dream to reality," Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey
said in a statement.
    Vineyard Wind is located 15 miles (24 km) off the coast of
Martha's Vineyard. So far nine of the expected 62 turbines have
been installed, and each will begin generating power as they are
completed.

 (Reporting by Nichola Groom; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
 ((nichola.groom@thomsonreuters.com;))