What happens when wind turbines break?

On July 13, 2024, the Vineyard Wind 1 offshore wind farm located in Massachusetts had a 350-foot turbine blade snap (1), releasing debris into the ocean. The debris, which was composed mainly of fiberglass and plastics, raised environmental concerns, caused beach closures, and required a clean up. (2) The blade failure was believed to be caused by a manufacturing defect at a particular factory in Canada (3). In response, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), now the Marine Minerals Administration (MMA) (10), required (4) Vineyard Wind to uninstall all blades produced in that factory and reinstall them with different blades. In addition, the manufacturer of the broken wind turbine, GE Vernova, agreed to pay the town of Nantucket $10.5 million (5) to compensate for impacts to the town and local businesses during what was peak summer tourist season. As of the end of 2025, a new pact (10) was formed requiring Vineyard Wind to involve town officials in their emergency response process and procedures as well as provide the public with more information. 

While such turbine failures are infrequent, they typically occur in the blade mechanisms. Potential reasons for failure include manufacturing defects, adhesive joint degradation, trailing edge failure, or other specific causes. Most failures do not lead to catastrophic breaks but instead to less efficient power yields.

Aerial view of the Vineyard Wind turbine failure taken 8/1/24. Source: Cape Cod Times (7)

Vineyard Wind has released an environmental study (11) analyzing the environmental impacts of the broken blade. According to Vineyard Wind, immediately after the blade event, Vineyard Wind worked with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and potentially affected tribal nations to conduct a clean-up initiative. Their efforts involved collecting all possible blade debris near the turbine, onshore, and on the seafloor using a sonar survey. Recovery work occurred from July 14, 2024 until early 2025. 

Initially, there was some concern that chemicals in the broken blade’s material would dissolve into the water and small plastic or fiberglass would affect marine life and local communities. However, the initial review of the debris concluded that the material was composed of stable, non-toxic, and non-hazardous solids that were not expected to dissolve in water. Therefore, it was determined that, even under a worst case scenario, the potential amount of chemicals released would be below the limits set by the Environmental Protection Agency; meaning the effect would not be great enough to significantly harm human or marine health. 

The analysis also looked at the potential for release of microplastics by the blade debris. Investigators looked for an increase in microplastics, above background levels, in water, sediment and shellfish in the surrounding area. The study concluded that there was no meaningful increase in microplastic levels beyond what was already present in the ocean. Water, sediment, and shellfish were also tested for fiberglass, the blade’s main structural material, and it was not discovered in any sample.

Some of the blade's pieces were found near the large, circular layer of rock placed around the foundation of the turbine. Those were deemed too hazardous to attempt to retrieve. All other large pieces have been recovered and it was determined that any remaining material is unlikely to break down due to weak wave action in the area. The broken blade was concluded by the analysis to not be a risk to human or marine life.

To prevent failures in the future, offshore turbines are equipped with alarm systems that utilize sensors to detect vibrations and other issues, allowing operators to quickly shut down and analyze potential issues. The National Wind Technology Center (NWTC) is researching innovative offshore turbine controls (6) that will reduce structural loads, limit platform motion, and increase reliability for floating turbines. At the same time, manufacturers are pushing to increase the size boundaries for offshore wind turbines. As turbine designs increase (8) in scale, so does the risk of mechanical failure. Prototype testing continues to become increasingly more critical to ensure structural integrity to prevent future catastrophic failures.

References​

1. Lennon, A. E. (2024, December 13). Why did Vineyard Wind’s turbine blade fail? The New Bedford Light. https://newbedfordlight.org/why-did-vineyard-winds-turbine-blade-fail/ 

2. Nilsen, Ella. (2024, July 18). An ‘unusual and rare’ wind turbine failure is littering Nantucket beaches with debris, angering locals. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/18/climate/nantucket-wind-turbine-debris

3. McCarron, Heather. (2025, January 29). Vineyard Wind must replace Canada-made turbine blades with blades made in France. Cape Cod Times. https://www.capecodtimes.com/story/news/2025/01/29/vineyard-wind-cape-cod-offshore-massachusetts-new-england-maura-healey/77973779007/

4. Vineyard Wind 1, OCS-A 0501, CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATIONS

   PLAN ADDENDUM. (December 14, 2024). https://www.boem.gov/sites/default/files/documents/renewable-energy/VW1%20COP%20Revision-Blade%20Removal%20Updated.pdf

5. Lennon, Anastasia E. (July 11, 2025). Maker of broken Vineyard Wind blade will pay Nantucket $10.5 million. The New Bedford Light. https://newbedfordlight.org/ge-vernova-to-pay-nantucket-10-5-million-over-broken-wind-blade/

6. Wind Turbine Control Systems. NREL. (2025, February). https://www.nrel.gov/wind/controls-analysis

7. Heaslip, S. (2025, March). Photos. an airplane view of the Vineyard Wind Turbine Blade that broke apart. Cape Cod Times. https://www.capecodtimes.com/picture-gallery/news/2024/08/02/vineyard-wind-turbine-blade-photos/74641812007/

8. Wind Turbines: the Bigger, the Better. Energy.gov. (2024b, August 21). https://www.energy.gov/eere/articles/wind-turbines-bigger-better#:~:text=Hub%20Height,A%20wind%20turbine’s&text=That’s%20taller%20than%20the%20Statue,the%20Washington%20Monument%2C%20in%202035.

9. McCarron, H. 2025. Cape Cod Times. Nantucket reaches deal on Vineyard Wind transparency, response. https://www.capecodtimes.com/story/news/environment/2025/12/13/nantucket-vineyard-wind-offshore-wind-cape-cod-new-england-avangrid-renewables-brooke-mohr-cip/87720630007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z114545p115450c115450e002300v114545d--37--b--37--&gca-ft=209&gca-ds=sophi

10. U.S. Department of the Interior. (2026). Department of the Interior Begins Transition to Marine Minerals Administration. https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/department-interior-begins-transition-marine-minerals-administration

11. Vineyard Wind (2026). Turbine Blade Event Environmental Study. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5a2eae32be42d64ed467f9d1/t/6aa82f3db23d2414dd296c24/1789407037680/Public+Summary+9-14-2026.pdf