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First offshore wind turbine components depart New Bedford for Vineyard Wind

A barge departs from New Bedford Harbor carrying the major components for the first offshore wind turbine for Vineyard Wind: three tower sections (two of which are already connected), three blades, and a nacelle, Sept. 6, 2023.
Steven LePage
/
CAI
A barge departs from New Bedford Harbor carrying the major components for the first offshore wind turbine for Vineyard Wind: three tower sections (two of which are already connected), three blades, and a nacelle, Sept. 6, 2023.

In a milestone for U.S. offshore wind, a barge departed from New Bedford Harbor Wednesday afternoon carrying components for the first of 62 turbines for Vineyard Wind.

The tower, three blades and nacelle weigh more than 1,700 tons.

The barge would spend about half a day traveling 65 miles to the site south of Martha’s Vineyard.

A specialized vessel for installing the turbines is already there.

It will use a massive crane to unload the parts onto the vessel deck before lifting them into place.

Offshore wind turbine components are stored at the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal before shipping out to Vineyard Wind.
Steven LePage
/
CAI
Offshore wind turbine components are stored at the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal before shipping out to Vineyard Wind.

Massachusetts electric companies, in cooperation with the state, selected Vineyard Wind five years ago for the state's first offshore wind contract.

The project won federal approval in 2021.

Vineyard Wind is expected to start generating power later this year.

Jennette Barnes is a reporter and producer. Named a Master Reporter by the New England Society of News Editors, she brings more than 20 years of news experience to CAI.

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.

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