Dominion Energy has received the last two key federal approvals needed to begin construction of its 2600MW Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) provided its final approval of CVOW’s Construction and Operations Plan (COP), which authorises construction offshore.
The US Army Corps of Engineers issued its permit to allow for permitted impacts to US waters, including the route of the electric transmission line that will connect the clean, renewable energy generated offshore to the electric grid onshore.
“Virginia is leading the way for offshore wind as we near the start of offshore construction for Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind,” said Bob Blue, Dominion Energy’s chair, president, and chief executive officer.
“These regulatory approvals keep CVOW on time and on budget as we focus on our mission of providing customers with reliable, affordable and increasingly clean energy.”
More than 750 Virginia-based workers – nearly 530 in the Hampton Roads region – have been engaged on the CVOW project or with other businesses supporting CVOW.
This work includes redevelopment activities at the Portsmouth Marine Terminal, construction of the offshore wind monitoring and coordination centre, maritime provisioning, ship upkeep, heavy lift and rigging, cyber security, food service and hospitality.
More than 1000 local jobs will be needed to support ongoing operations and maintenance of this facility after the project begins commercial operation.
Senator Mark Warner, Senator Tim Kaine and Representative Bobby Scott said in a joint statement: “The progress on this project to date speaks volumes about the level of cooperation between the Biden administration, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and Dominion Energy, and their commitment to the future of green energy in the Commonwealth.
“We look forward to continuing to work together to see this project through to the finish line.”
CVOW will consist of 176 turbines and three offshore substations in a nearly 113,000-acre lease area off the coast of Virginia Beach.
Some onshore construction activities began in November 2023 following BOEM’s Record of Decision.
Initial offshore construction activities related to the export cable and the monopile foundation installation is expected to begin in the second quarter of this year.