Vineyard Wind components arrive in New Bedford

THE NATION’S fledgling offshore wind industry took a very visible step forward on Thursday as a ship from Portugal delivered components for the first US industrial-scale wind farm to the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal.

The UHL Felicity bought in tower components for the giant General Electric wind turbines that will be assembled at the Marine Commerce Terminal and then transported out to the wind farm known as Vineyard Wind. The wind farm is expected to partially open later this year. The Felicity navigated New Bedford’s hurricane barrier in the late afternoon and then docked at the terminal with the help of tugboats.

Vineyard Wind is a joint venture of Avangrid and Copenhagen Partners. The two companies are hosting a press conference at the Marine Commerce Terminal on Thursday and will be joined by New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell, Vineyard Wind CEO Klaus Moeller, and Rep. Antonio Cabral of New Bedford.