According to multiple reports, the same vineyard wind turbine that broke down in July 2024 and polluted the ocean was once again damaged by a lightning strike on February 27. [emphasis, links added]
Offshore wind farm developers are still evaluating the damage caused by lightning strikes, saying it appears to be limited to the blades of the turbine and that there does not appear to be any debris falling into the surrounding water, according to the Vineyard Gazette.
The same turbine had a blade capture in July 2024, an incident that led to local anger on Nantucket Island as large chunks of fiberglass fell into the ocean and washed out on the island’s beaches.
“This is included in the damaged blade and has no effect on Nacelle or the turbine mechanism based on current information,” Vineyard Wind said in a statement about the lightning strike obtained by the Gazette.
“Vineyard Wind both deploys aerial and maritime resources, and based on current observations, there is no indication of debris in this event.”
The U.S. Coast Guard also works with Vineyard Wind to determine if there are any hazards in the area around the turbine, the Gazette reported.
Federal regulators effectively suspended the development of vineyard wind farms following a blade failure in July 2024.
The Biden administration has actively promoted and subsidized offshore winds to achieve its goal of installing 30 GW of power generation capacity and operations by 2030.
[However,] Offshore winds have driven, with the impact of inflation, high interest rates and logistical restrictions, have had an impact on developers and forced the cancellation or postponement of major developments.
The Lower Inflation Act – former President Joe Biden's $1 trillion climate bill – contains multiple provisions aimed at subsidizing some aspects of offshore wind developers and their supply chains.
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