Illustration of "Beach Closure Mystery: Wind Turbine Debris Washes Up in Massachusetts"

“Beach Closure Mystery: Wind Turbine Debris Washes Up in Massachusetts”

A large wind farm is creating issues for beachgoers in Massachusetts. The Nantucket Harbormaster announced on Tuesday that much of the area’s shoreline was closed to visitors after pieces of wind turbines started washing up on shore this week.

The office stated in a Facebook post, “All south shore beaches are closed to swimming, due to large floating debris and sharp fiberglass shards.” The town of Nantucket confirmed that the beaches would be closed “until further notice.”

The debris is originating from Vineyard Winds, an 806-megawatt offshore wind power project with its first phase having started earlier this year. This project is a collaboration between the Danish investment fund Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and the U.S.-based clean-energy firm Avangrid Renewables.

In a statement released on Monday, Vineyard Winds explained that the debris entered the waters off Cape Cod after a blade was damaged on one of its turbines over the weekend, without specifying the cause of the damage. The company noted that General Electric, the manufacturer of the turbine, has dispatched a team to investigate the issue. A follow-up statement released on Tuesday detailing recovery plans emphasized that “Vineyard Wind is fully committed to a swift and safe recovery of all debris, with an unwavering focus on community safety and environmental protection.”

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