Offshore Wind Energy Virginia is reestablishing itself as a leader in the U.S. offshore wind energy industry after passing legislation that requires the state to approve 5,200 megawatts of offshore wind energy by 2034 as part of the Clean Economy Act.
Meanwhile, construction is about to begin on the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project, a demonstration project that will put the first two turbines in federal waters this Spring 2020, constructed by Ørsted for Dominion Energy. Last September 2019, Dominion announced its intent to expand the test project! They will build up to 220 wind turbines 27 miles off the coast to generate 2,600 megawatts of electricity — enough to power 650,000 homes — by 2026!
Milestones
Geophysical survey work is underway at Dominion Energy’s offshore wind site where they plan to build a 2,600 megawatt turbine array with Ørsted, beginning in 2024.
April 1, 2020Geophysical survey work is underway at Dominion Energy’s offshore wind site where they plan to build a 2,600 megawatt turbine array with Ørsted, beginning in 2024. Learn more.
Read moreDominion Energy and Ørsted announced the turbine components and monopiles for the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW)
April 1, 2020Dominion Energy and Ørsted announced the turbine components and monopiles for the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) pilot projects have started their journey to North America. Construction is expected to begin later this spring. Learn more.
Read moreVirginia passed the Clean Economy Act (CEA)
March 1, 2020Virginia passed the Clean Economy Act (CEA), which includes requirements for the State Corporation Commission (SCC) to approve a minimum of 5200 megawatts (MW) of offshore wind by the end of 2034. Learn more.
Read moreDominion Energy agreed to negotiate a Project Labor Agreement regarding the onshore electrical interconnection work for the first stage of their Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind commercial project
January 1, 2020Dominion Energy agreed to negotiate a Project Labor Agreement regarding the onshore electrical interconnection work for the first stage of their Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind commercial project with three of the nation’s leading building and construction trade unions: Virginia State Building and Construction Trades Council, the International Brotherhood of Electrical…
Read moreGovernor Northam’s proposed budget creates Virginia’s first Office of Offshore Wind
December 1, 2019Governor Northam’s proposed budget creates Virginia’s first Office of Offshore Wind. It also invests up to $40 million to upgrade the Portsmouth Marine Terminal, to secure new investments in the offshore wind supply chain. Learn more.
Read moreGovernor Northam signed Executive Order Forty-Three
September 1, 2019Governor Northam signed Executive Order Forty-Three, which established goals for clean energy development, including up to 2,500 MW of offshore wind to be fully developed by 2026. Learn more.
Read moreDominion announced intent build up to 220 wind turbines 27 miles off the coast to generate 2,600 megawatts of electricity — enough to power 650,000 homes by 2026
September 1, 2019Dominion announced intent build up to 220 wind turbines 27 miles off the coast to generate 2,600 megawatts of electricity — enough to power 650,000 homes by 2026. Learn more.
Read moreVirginia Electric and Power Company submitted to Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) its 2019 update to the 2018 Integrated Research Plan
August 1, 2019Virginia Electric and Power Company submitted to Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) its 2019 update to the 2018 Integrated Research Plan. The update consists of three plans, one of which (Plan C) includes additional offshore wind, in what is referred to as “the first tranche (852 MW) of utility-scale offshore…
Read moreOld Dominion University hosted a roundtable regarding offshore wind plans, projects, and research proposals
August 1, 2019Old Dominion University hosted a roundtable regarding offshore wind plans, projects, and research proposals. Learn more.
Read moreFive East Coast Governors, including Virginia, Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, and New Hampshire sent a letter to Department of Interior Secretary David Bernhardt
August 1, 2019Five East Coast Governors, including Virginia, Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, and New Hampshire sent a letter to Department of Interior Secretary David Bernhardt and Department of Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross expressing their support for offshore wind power. Learn more.
Read moreSierra Club Virginia Chapter presented a Virginia Offshore Wind Town Hall at Old Dominion University
May 1, 2019Sierra Club Virginia Chapter presented a Virginia Offshore Wind Town Hall at Old Dominion University. Learn more.
Read moreVirginia released an updated roadmap for the offshore wind supply chain in Virginia
December 1, 2018Virginia released an updated roadmap for the offshore wind supply chain in Virginia. Learn more.
Read moreOld Dominion University convened a 120-member offshore wind taskforce
November 1, 2018Old Dominion University convened a 120-member offshore wind taskforce.
Read moreThe Virginia State Corporation Commission approved the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project
November 1, 2018The Virginia State Corporation Commission approved the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project, putting the Commonwealth on track to install the nation’s first two turbines in federal waters.
Read moreGovernor Northam announced that Dominion Energy filed for State Corporation Commission (SCC) approval to build Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind
August 1, 2018Governor Northam announced that Dominion Energy filed for State Corporation Commission (SCC) approval to build Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, a 2-turbine demonstration project, 27 miles off the coast of Virginia Beach. Dominion Energy has partnered with Ørsted to build the project in a research lease area held by the Virginia…
Read moreGovernor Northam announced the selection of BVG Associates to develop a strategy to attract the offshore wind supply chain and service industry to Virginia
July 1, 2018Governor Northam announced the selection of BVG Associates to develop a strategy to attract the offshore wind supply chain and service industry to Virginia, and to improve the Commonwealth’s port infrastructure. Learn more.
Read moreVirginia Coastal Zone Management Program submits its report for “Collaborative Fisheries Planning for Virginia’s Offshore Wind Energy Area” to BOEM
May 1, 2016Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program submits its report for “Collaborative Fisheries Planning for Virginia’s Offshore Wind Energy Area” to BOEM. Learn more.
Read moreBOEM approved the Research Activities Plan for the first wind energy research lease in US federal waters
March 1, 2016BOEM approved the Research Activities Plan for the first wind energy research lease in US federal waters, issued to Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy (DMME).
Read moreBOEM made available a revised environmental assessment (EA), and issued a “Finding of No Significant Impact” (FONSI)
September 1, 2015BOEM made available a revised environmental assessment (EA), and issued a “Finding of No Significant Impact” (FONSI) which concluded that reasonably foreseeable environmental consequences associated with VOWTAP would not significantly impact the environment.
Read moreVirginia released its first port readiness study
April 1, 2015Virginia released its first port readiness study. Learn more.
Read moreBOEM executed the first wind energy research lease in U.S. federal waters
March 1, 2015BOEM executed the first wind energy research lease in U.S. federal waters with the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy. Learn more.
Read moreBOEM announced the publication of its environmental assessment
December 1, 2014BOEM announced the publication of its environmental assessment for public review and comment.
Read moreBOEM announced that it would be seeking public comment on the research activities plan
March 1, 2014BOEM announced that it would be seeking public comment on the research activities plan as it prepares an environmental assessment (EA) to analyze potential impacts from proposed wind energy research activities offshore Virginia.
Read moreBOEM published a “Determination of No Competitive Interest” and proceeded with the leasing process on a non-competitive basis
December 1, 2013BOEM published a “Determination of No Competitive Interest” and proceeded with the leasing process on a non-competitive basis. This clears the way for DMME to submit a plan for renewable research activities.
Read moreDominion Virginia Power won a federal offshore wind lease auction
September 1, 2013Dominion Virginia Power won a federal offshore wind lease auction, acquiring an area more than 20 miles from shore. Learn more.
Read moreDominion Virginia Power won a federal offshore wind lease auction
September 1, 2013Dominion Virginia Power won a federal offshore wind lease auction, acquiring an area more than 20 miles from shore. Learn more.
Read moreBOEM published a “Public Notice of an Unsolicited Request for an OCS Research Lease
July 1, 2013BOEM published a “Public Notice of an Unsolicited Request for an OCS Research Lease, Request for Competitive Interest, and Request for Public Comment” in the Federal Register for a 30-day comment period to obtain public input on a research proposal received from the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy…
Read moreThe Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy (DMME) and BOEM contracted with Fugro in 2013
March 1, 2013The Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy (DMME) and BOEM contracted with Fugro in 2013 to conduct a regional geophysical survey across Virginia’s Wind Energy Area (WEA). Another survey was conducted in 2016. Learn more
Read moreThe Common.wealth of Virginia, Department of Mines Minerals and Energy, submitted a research lease application to BOEM
February 1, 2013The Common.wealth of Virginia, Department of Mines Minerals and Energy, submitted a research lease application to BOEM for the installation and operation of two 6-megawatt (MW) turbines, ancillary metocean facilities, a meteorological tower or buoy and installation of associated cabling to shore outside of the Virginia WEA
Read moreThe Bureau of Offshore Energy Management (BOEM) published a Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment (EA) and a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)
February 1, 2012The Bureau of Offshore Energy Management (BOEM) published a Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment (EA) and a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for commercial wind lease issuance and site assessment activities on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) offshore New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virgina.
Read moreThe Virginia General Assembly established the Mid-Atlantic Offshore Wind Energy Infrastructure Development Compact in 2009
March 1, 2009The Virginia General Assembly established the Mid-Atlantic Offshore Wind Energy Infrastructure Development Compact in 2009 with member states including: Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and New York. The compact was designed to: (1) study, develop and promote coordinated research and planning of the design, construction, utility interconnection, financing and operation…
Read moreBOEM formed the Virginia Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Taskforce consisting of 134
January 1, 2009BOEM formed the Virginia Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Taskforce consisting of 134. The taskforce advised BOEM on what is now Virginia’s Wind Energy Area (WEA) that protects ecologically sensitive areas, minimizes space use conflicts, and maximizes the area available for development.
Read moreThe Virginia General Assembly created the Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium (VCERC)
May 1, 2006The Virginia General Assembly created the Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium (VCERC) to identify and develop new and diversified coastal energy resources through multidisciplinary research collaborations and environmentally responsible strategies, especially offshore wind energy. Learn more
Read moreResources
- For maps and the latest updates on the federal offshore wind leasing and permitting process off the coast of Virginia, visit the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management‘s Virginia page.