Almost a year after the Vineyard Wind blade broke and scattered debris along the shores of Nantucket, blade manufacturer GE Vernova agreed to pay a $10.5m settlement to the town.

A blade from one of the planned 62 turbines suffered damage and broke back in July last year, leading to a total shutdown of the project. Beaches nearby were strewn with fibreglass shards and green and white foam.

After an investigation immediately after the incident, GE Vernova revealed that the problem was faulty manufacturing at a factory in Gaspé, Canada, not a design flaw. The manufacturer removed several blades from the Vineyard Wind project after completing quality checks of all blades. The offshore wind farm was allowed to restart production and continue construction in January 2025.

Nantucket officials claimed that the incident disrupted local businesses and impacted the island’s economy for months since it occurred at the height of the summer tourist season.

As part of the $10.5m settlement agreed on July 10, three days short of a full year from the incident, GE Vernova will compensate the town and county of Nantucket for losses, damages, and injuries related to the blade failure.

A portion of the settlement will be used to establish a Community Claims Fund, allowing residents and business owners to submit claims for reimbursement. The fund will provide a low-cost way to compensate those affected for cleanup costs and business losses.

The town stated that the agreement does not release Vineyard Wind or GE Vernova from liability should a similar incident occur in the future.