Dominion Energy seeks approval to build offshore wind research project

Dominion Energy is filing a request with the State Corporation Commission to build its Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind demonstration project.

The Richmond-based company is partnering with Ørsted, a Denmark-based energy company, to build the research project, which will include two six-megawatt wind turbines located approximately 27 miles off the coast of Virginia Beach.

Ørsted has contracted the research vessel Gerry Bordelon to conduct geophysical studies of the proposed site for the project’s two turbines, searching for obstructions on the sea floor that could potentially impede construction activities.
 
This project would be the first wind energy construction project in Virginia waters, located on 2,135 acres leased by the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy (DMME). DMME has the only research lease for offshore renewable energy awarded by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM).

This research and development project will provide experience in permitting, design, installation, and operations that may be helpful for stakeholders including the military, commercial and recreational interests. The project will provide critical permitting, construction and operational experience, and could pave the way for 2,000 more megawatts of carbon-free generation in the adjacent 112,000 acre wind energy lease area – enough energy to power about half a million homes. Dominion Energy currently leases the massive acreage that would be needed for this facility from BOEM.

The facility is expected to start generating emissions-free energy by 2020.