Dominion Energy files plans with BOEM for its 2,640 MW Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project

Dominion Energy took the next step toward creating the largest offshore wind farm in the United States this week by filing a construction and operations plan for the massive 2,640 MW Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM).

The filing kicks off an approximately two-year federal review process, which Dominion says will leave it on track to begin building the wind farm in 2024. According to the plan, the farm will be located 27 miles off the coast of Virginia Beach across 112,800 acres.

“This is an important step in the process toward bringing commercial-scale offshore wind to the Commonwealth and shows Dominion Energy is committed to delivering the clean, renewable and reliable energy our customers expect from us,” Joshua Bennett, Dominion Energy’s vice president of offshore wind, said. “We look forward to working with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management as the CVOW commercial project moves through the permitting process.”

The filing also addresses efforts Dominion took to protect natural resources and preserve the local environment, from the utilization of technology to specific designing and siting. It maintains the facility will not unreasonably interfere with other uses of the Outer Continental Shelf, such as fishing or commercial shipping lanes. Once complete, Dominion estimates CVOW should be able to supply power to as many as 660,000 homes.

Along the way, the project also stands to create around 900 jobs and $143 million in economic impact annually during construction, as well as 1,100 jobs once operational and $210 million annually. Though, it should generate nearly $5 million in tax revenue for local and state governments, which could increase to nearly $11 million annually once operational. Once construction begins, it should take two years to complete.

Earlier this year, Dominion completed the first phase of the project, consisting of two 12 MW turbines located adjacent to the commercial lease area. They are already operational, though BOEM’s technical review must be completed before they can officially enter service.