Dominion Energy begins construction on Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project

Dominion Energy began construction Monday on the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project, located 27 miles off the coast of Virginia Beach.

The company marked the first work at the project site by breaking ground to install a half-mile conduit, which will contain the final stretch of cables connecting the turbines to a company substation near Camp Pendleton.

CVOW will consist of two six-megawatt (MW) wind turbines and is the only fully permitted offshore wind project in U.S. federal waters. The project was announced two years ago, and the State Corporation Commission approved the project last November.

“The Virginia offshore wind demonstration project is another powerful example of the Commonwealth’s position as a leader in renewable energy,” Virginia Governor Ralph Northam. “As the first deployment of commercial-scale offshore wind turbines in federal waters, I am thrilled that Virginia’s project will help determine best practices for future offshore wind construction along the East Coast.”

Dominion Energy expects $1.1 billion in offshore wind investments through 2023.

“These onshore construction activities are another major milestone in our plan to bring offshore wind to the Commonwealth and are a sign of our commitment to bring more renewable energy to our customers,” Dominion Energy Chairman, President and CEO Thomas F. Farrell, II said.