Dominion Energy acquires solar facility in Virginia

Dominion Energy acquired the 62.5-megawatt Madison Solar facility in Orange County, Va., from Cypress Creek Renewables.

The facility is expected to enter service in the second quarter of 2022. About 660 acres of land in Locust Grove, Va., are being purchased to house the solar development.

Northrop Grumman Corp. will take the electricity generated at Madison Solar as well as the renewable energy credits, under long-term agreements. Northrop Grumman anticipates that the facility will provide enough renewable power to match 100 percent of its electricity use as Virginia manufacturing and office operations.

“Northrop Grumman has a long-standing commitment to environmental sustainability and greenhouse gas emissions reductions,” Sandra Evers-Manly, vice president of global corporate responsibility, Northrop Grumman, said. “As we look beyond our 2020 goals, this project will play an important role in the next generation of our climate-related commitments.”

Fueled by the Virginia Clean Economy Act, which requires zero-carbon electricity by 2045, Dominion Energy plans to add about 16,000 megawatts of solar generating capacity through company-owned projects and power purchase agreements. The company has already met its 2018 goal of bringing online or developing 3,000 megawatts of solar and wind generating capacity in Virginia by the beginning of 2022.

“If we can help our customers – both large and small – add more renewables and provide cleaner electricity, that’s a win for our customers and the Commonwealth of Virginia,” Robert Blue, Dominion’s executive vice president and co-chief operating officer, said.