Dominion Energy Pushes Ahead with USD 9.8 Billion Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind

US energy company Dominion Energy is filing plans with the Virginia State Corporation Commission for approval to construct the 2.6 GW Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) commercial project.

The filing keeps the project on schedule and builds on recent economic development announcements, such as the Siemens Gamesa’s turbine blade factory at the Portsmouth Marine Terminal and Dominion Energy’s investment in the only US-flagged offshore wind turbine installation vessel, Dominion Energy said.

According to a study performed by Virginia-based Mangum Economics and commissioned by the Hampton Roads Alliance, the CVOW commercial project could create approximately 900 jobs, generate USD 5 million per year in local and state tax revenue and USD 143 million in economic benefits annually during construction.

During operation, the CVOW commercial project could result in 1,100 jobs, generate USD 11 million per year in local and state tax revenue and almost USD 210 million in economic benefits annually.

The project represents an investment of USD 9.8 billion. Customer costs will be reduced by applicable federal tax credits and offshore wind will have no fuel costs over the life of the project, according to the developer.

Over this time, the net average cost of the project to a typical residential customer is estimated at approximately USD 4 per month, though this figure will initially be less and will vary from year-to-year. All of the project’s costs are subject to approval by the State Corporation Commission which will also consider the applicable tax credits of more than USD 1 billion and expected fuel costs savings of more than USD 3 billion for the project’s first ten years.

”Our customers expect reliable, affordable, and clean energy and we intend to deliver. In addition to solar, storage and nuclear, offshore wind is a key component of our strategy and a game changer for the Hampton Roads economy,’‘ said Robert M. Blue, Dominion Energy Chair, President and CEO.

”CVOW is making Virginia the hub for this new industry. Virginia will host the first offshore wind turbine blade factory in the United States and be the home port for the only Jones Act compliant offshore wind installation vessel.”

As part of the filing, Dominion Energy is also requesting State Corporation Commission approval to build approximately 17 miles of new transmission lines and other onshore infrastructure needed to deliver the energy generated offshore to homes and businesses across Virginia. A proposed transmission interconnection route is presented along with alternatives for the Commission to consider.

Dominion Energy identified the route options after a study and engagement with Virginia Beach and Chesapeake officials, Virginia and federal agencies and land managers, and the local communities, including historically underrepresented communities and Native American tribes.

The proposed route would be the shortest of the potential routes and would impact private property the least, with 92 per cent of the route located within the former Southeastern Parkway and Greenbelt corridor, owned primarily by the City of Virginia Beach and/or collocated with existing Dominion Energy transmission line corridors.

As reported earlier today, Dominion Energy awarded the consortium of DEME Group and Prysmian Group with a EUR 1.6 billion Balance of Plant contract for the transportation and installation of the foundations and the substations, and the engineering, procurement, construction, and installation (EPCI) services for the inter-array and export cables for the 176-turbine project scheduled to come online in 2026.