Offshore Wind Projects Falter as Massachusetts Pushback Grows

Boston, MA — Sept. 27, 2025 — Offshore wind in Massachusetts is hitting major obstacles this week, marking what critics see as a victory for coastal communities, fishermen, and taxpayers wary of the costly industry.

The Trump administration has moved to revoke a key permit for the SouthCoast Wind project, a proposal to install more than 140 turbines south of Nantucket. Regulators now argue the original approval may not have met environmental standards. Opponents view this as an overdue correction that could prevent permanent damage to fishing waters and marine ecosystems.

At the same time, Vineyard Wind 1 — long promoted as America’s first large-scale offshore wind farm — is struggling with turbine blade defects that forced widespread replacements. The project’s mounting delays and technical problems reinforce doubts about whether offshore wind can reliably deliver power at all.

Photo Credit: Eleonora Bianchi

Meanwhile, Massachusetts officials confirmed there will be no new offshore wind solicitations until at least 2026. For critics, this pause is proof that the industry has overpromised and underdelivered, relying on subsidies and political support rather than market viability.

Communities across the South Coast and Cape Cod have voiced relief that projects are slowing down. Fishermen and local residents argue that preserving the natural beauty and economic lifeblood of New England’s shores is far more important than rushing to build unreliable turbines at sea.

What was once hailed as a green energy revolution is now being recognized for its flaws: unstable, expensive, and fraught with environmental risks. For many in Massachusetts, the failure of offshore wind is a win for common sense.