{"id":455261,"date":"2026-07-13T03:15:02","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T10:15:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=455261"},"modified":"2026-07-13T03:15:04","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T10:15:04","slug":"vineyard-winds-troubles-mount-despite-political-victory-lap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=455261","title":{"rendered":"Vineyard Wind\u2019s Troubles Mount Despite Political Victory Lap"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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From Watts Up With That?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Legal Insurrection<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Troubled windfarm is producing less than half the promised output, sensors are repeatedly tripping offline, and it\u2019s engaged in a legal battle with its turbine manufacturer.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Posted by Leslie Eastman<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two summers ago<\/a>, we began following the saga of the Vineyard Farms offshore wind project and its blade failure near Nantucket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After one blade failed and fell into the water, the beaches were littered with sharp fiberglass shards<\/a>, creating a suboptimal condition at the height of the summer tourist season.  The continuing investigation into the cause of this environmental contamination incident determined that a manufacturing flaw in the blade<\/a> was responsible for the failure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, residents of Nantucket began demanding the end of these mammoth<\/a> offshore wind farms, and fishermen protested <\/a>at the site of the blade failure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey declared victory last month, celebrating the completion of Vineyard Wind as a shining beacon of \u201cenergy independence\u201d that would slash electricity costs<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cVineyard Wind is a key part of our all-of-the-above strategy to lowering energy prices,\u201d Healey said. \u201cThroughout one of the coldest winters in recent history, Vineyard Wind turbines powered our homes and businesses at a low price and now that price goes even lower with the activation of these contracts. Especially as President Trump is taking energy sources off the table and increasing prices with his war in Iran, we should be leaning into more American-made wind power to lower costs, create jobs, and make our country more energy independent.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This past winter, Vineyard Wind lowered electricity prices by competing in wholesale electricity markets. In those markets, it consistently offered lower prices than other sources of electricity. This activation of the utilities\u2019 contracts further lowers the price of electricity generated by Vineyard Wind.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

However, the celebration may have been premature. Apparently, the wind farm is producing barely 300 megawatts (less than half the promised output), and sensors are repeatedly tripping offline<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In a May 1 court filing, Vineyard Wind CEO Klaus Moeller said the project\u2019s current average output is roughly 300 megawatts, and 13 of the 62 turbines are not yet activated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Significant remedial and repair work is needed to address \u201crecurrent operational issues,\u201d Vineyard Wind officials said in court documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The problems include sensors that repeatedly trip, causing the turbines to shut off and curtailing their performance and power generation.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Vineyard Wind is struggling with operational defects and legal battles after the completion of its first major U.S. offshore project off the Massachusetts coast. https:\/\/t.co\/t9sfVd7DQ8<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/nCxTz7VGIs<\/a><\/p>— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) July 5, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>