Only Half of Nantucket’s Controversial Wind Turbines are Running
A recent visit to the Vineyard Wind project off the coast of Massachusetts underscores a growing problem with offshore wind: it simply isn’t delivering on its promises. Following last year’s broken offshore wind turbine in Nantucket, GBH News visited the wind farm to assess the turbines’ current efficiency. Spoiler alert, half aren’t even running.
Over the course of two hours, the team never saw more than nine turbines in operation, despite the company’s claims that 17 were generating power into the grid.
Vineyard Wind has refused to answer questions about why so many turbines remain idle, despite ongoing installation work and the replacement of defective blades. Adding to the confusion, Governor Maura Healey’s administration reported as recently as May that only four turbines were supplying power to the grid.
The reality is that wind power is not capable of sustaining the Northeast’s energy needs. When turbines fail to perform, the region relies on natural gas, which already provides the bulk of power during high-demand periods. Unlike wind, natural gas is available 24/7, in all weather conditions, and is far more dependable for keeping the lights on and homes heated in harsh New England winters.
If policymakers want reliable and affordable energy, it is time to shift focus. Rather than doubling down on costly, unreliable wind farms, the Northeast should invest in expanding natural gas infrastructure, ensuring a stable energy supply while avoiding price spikes and blackouts.
August 4, 2025