Dominion Energy Virginia boosts it expectations for renewable energy generation

Dominion Energy Virginia has more than quadrupled the amount of solar and offshore wind power, as well as energy storage capacity, and expects to have, as outlined in its 15-year long-term integrated resource plan (IRP).

Last year’s forecast expected to generate 5,586 megawatts (MW) of solar, wind, and energy storage over the next 15 years. The 2020 update, released in May, increases that forecast to 23,700 MW of solar, wind, and energy storage.

Dominion Energy Virginia’s IRP includes more than 5,000 megawatts of offshore wind by 2035, including the 2,600 MW Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project. This will be the largest offshore wind project in North America. It has a targeted in-service date of late 2026. Also, Dominion Energy Virginia calls for the development and procurement of approximately 16,000 megawatts of solar in the state over the next fifteen years. Further, energy storage capacity is projected to expand to around 2,700 megawatts.

On May 1, Dominion Energy Virginia issued a request for proposals seeking bids for up to 1,000 megawatts (MW) of solar and onshore wind generation and up to 250 MW of energy storage. This is the largest solicitation in the Company’s history for renewable energy in a calendar year.

“We’re focused on the health and safety of our employees and customers during this coronavirus pandemic and see these projects as a catalyst to restarting the economy when appropriate,” Robert Blue, president, Dominion Energy Virginia, said. “We are putting Virginians to work on renewable energy projects that will create thousands of jobs, transforming the environment and the economy of the Commonwealth.”

The increase stems, in part, from Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s executive order on climate change and the Virginia Clean Economy Act passed by the General Assembly. Dominion Energy, the parent company of Dominion Energy Virginia, has a goal of achieving net zero emissions across the 20 states it serves by 2050. The IRP and RFP align with this commitment.

The company is also making upgrades to the transmission infrastructure and is embarking on strategic investments on the distribution system to ensure continued grid stability. Dominion Energy Virginia’s residential rates are 11.62 cents per kilowatt-hour, which is about 10 percent less than the national average of 12.85, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.