Avangrid Completes Installation of First Five Turbines in US

Avangrid, Inc., member of the Iberdrola Group announced that it has installed the first five GE Haliade-X turbines for the nation-leading Vineyard Wind 1 project, a critical milestone as the company prepares to deliver the first power from the project to the electric grid in Massachusetts.

Once energized in the coming weeks, Vineyard Wind 1, the first large-scale offshore wind project in the United States, will deliver approximately 65 Megawatts of clean energy from five GE Haliade-X turbines, enough to power 30,000 homes and businesses in Massachusetts.

Vineyard Wind 1 is an 806 Megawatt project, and when fully operational will generate enough clean electricity to power 400,000 homes and businesses in the Commonwealth.

“Our team has worked tremendously hard, through nights, weekends, and holidays to put us in the position to deliver the first power from Avangrid’s nation-leading Vineyard Wind 1 project before the end of the year,” said Avangrid CEO Pedro Azagra. “Today, we have fully installed the first five turbines of this historic project, representing a new frontier for climate action and the clean energy revolution in the United States. We look forward to working through the final technical requirements and flipping the switch to deliver these first green electrons to 30,000 homes and businesses in Massachusetts, proving that with skill, expertise, and perseverance, the dream of offshore wind in America is real.” 

Once energized, the power from the first five turbines will interconnect to the New England grid in Barnstable, transmitted by underground cables that connect to a substation further inland on Cape Cod. Once completed, the project will consist of 62 wind turbines to generate 806 Megawatts, enough to power more than 400,000 homes and businesses in Massachusetts. 

Before generating first power, Avangrid must complete several critical tests and technical milestones, including final testing of the array and export cables, and energization of the offshore substation which is one of the largest built in the global offshore industry. Vineyard Wind 1 remains on track to deliver first power before the end of the year. 

From the outset of this project, Vineyard Wind recognized the importance of building and supporting a workforce of local, highly skilled and diverse tradespeople. The valuable collaboration with union leadership on this project is a prime example of how this new industry can be a responsive member of the communities it serves, ensuring accessible and family-sustaining careers.