Vineyard Wind Starts Spinning (A): Overcoming Onshore Challenges to Offshore Wind

Teaching Note for HBS Case No. 324-113. To activate the first wind turbines in the ocean off Martha’s Vineyard eventually supplying clean energy to 400,000 households, Vineyard Wind’s leaders had to navigate the permitting process, numerous delays, and objections from stakeholders in three communities: the Vineyard and Nantucket islands near where power originated; Cape Cod where cables reached land and power stations; and mainland New Bedford where a new green industry was part of its economic development plan. Issues included marine mammals, birds, fishing grounds, sacred Indigenous People’s areas, views, beach disruption, worker training, and union jobs. Solutions included new technology, community investments, settlements with unions, community meetings, and relationships with government officials, but there were financial costs as well as delays. Significant as the first commercial-sized offshore wind farm in North America, Vineyard Wind I was co-owned by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, a financial fund, and Avangrid, an energy supplier and main venture operator. Pedro Azagra, Avangrid CEO, spent a great deal of time with government officials seeking support. How effective were the actions, and would they help the next projects achieve the goal of more clean energy for Massachusetts and New England?