Boston – Avangrid, Inc., a sustainable energy company and member of the Iberdrola Group and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), specializing in green energy investment and offshore wind development through its affiliate Vineyard Offshore, recently joined Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey on Martha’s Vineyard for a tour of the operations and maintenance facilities that will provide long-term support services for the Vineyard Wind 1 project once it’s operational. As part of the visit, which took place on June 6, Avangrid CEO Pedro Azagra joined Healey to see the progress on two facilities: a newly constructed marine terminal and an O&M service building.
Vineyard Wind broke ground on the facilities in 2022. The same year, Avangrid finalized an agreement to assume responsibility as the operations and management services provider for Vineyard Wind 1, the first large-scale offshore wind project in the U.S.
“Governor Healey is a steadfast champion for clean energy, climate action, and historic Massachusetts communities like Martha’s Vineyard, so Avangrid was proud to join the governor to tour the critical facilities that will serve as the base of operations for our first-in-the-nation Vineyard Wind 1 project,” said Azagra. “Locating our O&M headquarters in Vineyard Haven is a reflection the island’s proud history, as well as the important role this community will play in pioneering Massachusetts’ clean energy future.”
The marine terminal can support up to three Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs). Two CTVs, which serve to transport O&M technicians to the wind farm, were in port during the tour. The O&M service building, located on Beach Road near the port, includes warehouse, storage, and office space. The building’s design incorporates sustainability and climate resiliency initiatives. It is elevated 10 feet above street level standing on steel piles, providing flood resiliency as well as parking. The building will also feature solar panels, electric vehicle charging stations and bike parking.
Vineyard Wind also constructed a hangar at the Martha’s Vineyard Airport to house a helicopter that will service the project. Like the O&M service building, the hangar also includes sustainability initiatives, including an all-electric heating system.
