Dominion Energy has filed plans with the Virginia State Corporation Commission for approval to construct the 2600MW Coastal Virginia commercial offshore wind farm off the coast of the US state.
The filing keeps the project on schedule and builds on recent economic development announcements, such as Siemens Gamesa turbine blade factory at the Portsmouth Marine Terminal, said Dominion.
As part of the filing, Dominion Energy is also requesting State Corporation Commission approval to build approximately 27km of new transmission lines and other onshore infrastructure.
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.
The proposed route would be the shortest of the potential routes and would impact private property the least, with 92% 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.
The company said the overall project represents an investment of $9.8bn.
Customer costs will be reduced by applicable federal tax credits and offshore wind will have no fuel costs over the life of the project, it added.
Dominion said the net average cost of the project to a typical residential customer is estimated at approximately $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 $1bn and expected fuel costs savings of more than $3bn for the project’s first 10 years.
Dominion Energy chair, president and chief executive Robert Blue said: “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,.
“CVOW is making Virginia the hub for this new industry. Virginia will host the first offshore wind turbine blade factory in the US and be the home port for the only Jones Act compliant offshore wind installation vessel.”