The first transition pieces (TPs) for Dominion Energy’s 2.6 GW Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project have been loaded onto the heavy load carrier, Sun Rise , and are en route to the US East Coast.
On 24 April, MV Sun Rise left the quayside of CS WIND Offshore (previously known as Bladt Industries) in Aalborg, Denmark, loaded with six transition pieces for the CVOW project.
The vessel is currently in the North-east Atlantic Ocean, according to the latest AIS data. The next stop will be Hampton Roads on the east coast of the US. CS WIND Offshore said the trip will be done within 16 to 24 days.
The vessel is planned to return to the company in approximately 40-45 days to pick up nine transition pieces.
The transition pieces are up to 30 metres high and close to 8 metres in diameter. Each element weighs 540 to 570 tonnes, including secondary steel, according to the manufacturer.
CS WIND Offshore will supply a total of 176 transition pieces to the CVOW being built some 40 kilometres off the Virginia US East Coast.
The TPs will be installed by DEME Offshore on top of the monopiles set to be delivered by EEW SPC , which will together support 176 Siemens Gamesa’s 15 MW wind turbines .
The lighting for the transition pieces will be provided by Glamox.
The installation of monopiles at the project site off the coast of Virginia Beach is scheduled to begin in May.
The project is currently wholly owned by Dominion Energy but is in the process of becoming a 50:50 partnership between Dominion Energy and the New York City-based investment firm Stonepeak.
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The two companies signed an agreement at the beginning of this year, with the transaction being subject to customary and regulatory approvals and expected to be completed by the end of 2024.
Once fully constructed in 2026, the 2.6 GW offshore wind farm will be able to generate enough electricity to power up to 660,000 households.