Vineyard Wind's Final Turbine Tower Departs New Bedford Port

The project's last turbine tower has left the port, marking a major milestone in the offshore wind farm's construction.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 1:31pm

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After more than two years of stops and starts, Vineyard Wind has shipped out the 62nd and final turbine tower from the Port of New Bedford. The project still needs to install the remaining 30 blades by the end of March, but this marks a significant step towards completion. Workers at the Marine Commerce Terminal are excited to see the last tower leave, having faced numerous challenges and delays throughout the construction process.

Why it matters

Vineyard Wind's offshore wind farm is a key part of Massachusetts' transition to clean energy. The project's completion will provide a major boost to the state's renewable energy capacity and serve as a symbol of the country's broader shift towards sustainable power generation.

The details

Less than 24 hours after Vineyard Wind secured a court victory that lifted a recent suspension of the project, the company shipped out the 62nd and final turbine tower from the Port of New Bedford. This caps off a lengthy installation process that faced several unexpected delays and obstacles along the way. All that remains now are 10 blade sets, or 30 blades, which need to be installed by the end of March before the project loses access to its specialized installation vessel.

  • On Wednesday morning, the final turbine tower was shipped out of the Port of New Bedford.
  • The first turbine tower was shipped out more than two years ago, in 2024.
  • Vineyard Wind has until the end of March 2026 to install the remaining 30 blades.

The players

Vineyard Wind

An offshore wind energy company developing a major wind farm project off the coast of Massachusetts.

Chris Melendez

A millwright who started working at New Bedford's Marine Commerce Terminal for Vineyard Wind in 2024.

Klaus Moeller

The CEO of Vineyard Wind.

Brian E. Murphy

The federal judge who ordered the stay on the project suspension.

Jon Mitchell

The mayor of New Bedford, Massachusetts.

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What they’re saying

“For all of us, [it] is a great accomplishment being able to build this one of a kind project and to see the last tower leave after all the battles we fought.”

— Chris Melendez, Millwright (text message)

“On average, BSEE completes its review of [return to installation] submissions in approximately two days.”

— Vineyard Wind (Court filings)

“BSEE staff have advised that, while the Order remains in effect, BSEE cannot assure it has authority to complete those reviews or issue the required non-objections absent leadership guidance — effectively preventing installation of the remaining blade sets regardless of vessel and blade availability.”

— Klaus Moeller, CEO, Vineyard Wind (Court filings)

“Many thanks to everyone in the port who have made the marshaling of this historic project a success.”

— Jon Mitchell, Mayor of New Bedford (X (social media)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide whether to allow Vineyard Wind to proceed with installing the remaining 30 blades by the end of March 2026.

The takeaway

Vineyard Wind's successful shipment of the final turbine tower from New Bedford is a major milestone in the construction of this landmark offshore wind project, which will play a crucial role in Massachusetts' transition to clean energy. However, the project still faces regulatory hurdles that could delay the final stages of installation.