State utility Dominion Energy has picked Siemens Gamesa as the preferred turbine supplier for its 2640MW offshore wind project off the coast of Virginia.
The Dominion Energy Offshore Wind project is due online in its entirety by the end of 2026.
A long-term service and maintenance agreement is included for the project’s direct drive turbines.
The final number of units and turbine model remain to be determined, according to Siemens Gamesa.
The agreement is subject to certain conditions including Dominion Energy’s final investment decision, governmental permitting, and other required approvals.
The agreement for Dominion Energy Virginia Offshore Wind also provides for certain early works to support project development, including turbine layouts which will be used in the construction and operations plan to be submitted to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management by the end of this year.
Siemens Gamesa chief executive Markus Tacke said: “Signing this preferred supplier agreement with Dominion Energy attests to the enormously exciting growth taking place in the US offshore wind industry and across the globe.
“We’re thrilled to have been chosen to support them in their commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and to once again do our part in combatting climate change on a global level.
Once online, the project is expected avoid 3.7 million tonnes a year of carbon emissions compared to fossil fuel-based power generation.
Siemens Gamesa North America offshore wind chief Steve Dayney added: “We’re confident that offshore wind power is already one of the fastest-growing, most important contributors on which Virginia state agencies can draw to reach their ambitious renewable energy goals.
“Receiving 30% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030 is fully feasible, and we are eager to lead the way for the citizens of the Commonwealth.
“We have always believed that the Coastal Virginia demonstration project currently underway with Dominion Energy is a gateway to something bigger and now Virginia is poised to benefit from the wide-ranging economic benefits the Dominion Energy Virginia Offshore Wind project will bring.”
The 2.6GW Dominion Energy Virginia Offshore Wind project will leverage knowledge gained though the utility’s two-turbine, 12MW Coastal Virginia offshore wind pilot, which is to install two Siemens Gamesa 6MW SWT-6.0-154 turbines this year.
The pilot, due online in 2020, is within a research lease area adjacent to site of the larger project.