A blade fragment from a massive 13MW Haliade-X wind turbine has washed up on a Nantucket beach in the United States.
The GE Vernova-made turbine blade reportedly malfunctioned at the offshore 800MW Vineyard Wind project. There were no injuries.
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Vineyard Wind issued a statement saying there was “an increased possibility” the rest of the 107m turbine blade could detach from the turbine.
“This evening there was an observed compromise to the integrity of the GE Vernova blade. While part of the blade remains attached to the turbine, we believe there is an increased possibility it could detach soon.
“There has been a 500m safety zone implemented around the turbine and GE Vernova blade since Saturday night, and it has been under constant surveillance,” the statement read.
“We have mobilised our response team and have also witnessed new debris enter the water. Vineyard Wind is in the process of notifying the US Coast Guard, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, the National Response Center, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Tribal nations, Regional Emergency Planning Committees for Dukes and Barnstable Counties, the Town of Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, and surrounding coastal communities.
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“Vineyard Wind will continue to coordinate closely with its state, federal, local, and tribal partners to respond to this evolving situation while continuing to prioritise the safety of its personnel, its contractors, and the environment.”
GE Vernova describes its Haliade-X offshore turbine as the “most powerful offshore wind turbine in operation in the world”.
