Dominion Energy’s 2600MW Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) has received a favourable Record of Decision from the US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM).
This is the last major milestone before BOEM approves the construction and operations plan, which authorises construction to begin offshore.
The offshore wind farm is expected to be fully constructed in late 2026, with onshore construction commencing later this year.
Dominion Energy’s chair, president and chief executive Bob Blue said: “Receiving a favourable Record of Decision from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is a monumental achievement for Dominion Energy and the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind team.
“More than a decade of work has gone into the development, design and permitting of CVOW.
“Offshore wind is a vital part of our strategy to provide our customers with a diverse fuel mix that delivers reliable, affordable and increasingly clean energy.”
The Record of Decision summarizes the findings of the Final Environmental Impact Statement and incorporates extensive studies, evaluations, and designs and responds to public comments to maximize CVOW’s environmental benefits and minimize potential impacts.
It also includes actions taken offshore to minimise impacts to marine life, such as North Atlantic right whales, and actions taken onshore to design and build a transmission route that avoids impacts to natural and cultural resources and communities to the maximum extent possible.
Dominion Energy also worked with a broad range of stakeholders, including state and federal agencies, Tribal Nations, industry groups, and environmental justice communities to avoid, minimise, and mitigate potential impacts.
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 includes redevelopment work at the Portsmouth Marine Terminal, construction of the offshore wind Monitoring and Coordination Center, maritime provisioning, ship repairs, heavy lift and rigging, cyber security, food service and hospitality.
Dominion added more than 1000 local jobs will be needed to support ongoing operations and maintenance of this facility after the project is commercial.