Dominion Energy has successfully completed the installation of the 50th monopile foundation at its Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project site, located 33 miles off the coast of Virginia Beach.
This achievement keeps the project on track to meet its initial goal of having 70 to 100 monopiles in place by the end of October, marking the conclusion of the first of two installation seasons.
CVOW: A Major Renewable Energy Project
CVOW stands as the largest offshore wind project currently under construction in the United States. Upon completion, the project will comprise 176 turbines, collectively capable of generating enough clean, renewable energy to power approximately 660,000 homes.
Additionally, it is projected to yield fuel savings of US$3 billion for consumers within its first decade of operation. The project remains on schedule, with its full completion anticipated in late 2026.
Affirming the Viability of Regulated Offshore Wind
Robert M. Blue, Dominion Energy’s Chair, President, and CEO, expressed confidence in the project’s progress: “Our on-time, on-budget CVOW project demonstrates that regulated offshore wind is a viable solution in the US. It plays a crucial role in our multifaceted approach to providing our customers with affordable, reliable, and increasingly clean energy.”
Monopile Foundations: The Backbone of Offshore Wind Turbines
The monopile foundations, currently being staged at Portsmouth Marine Terminal, are single vertical, steel cylinders manufactured by the global industry leader EEW SPC.
These structures are being installed into the seabed to serve as the sturdy support for the wind turbine generators.
In accordance with the project’s construction schedule, Dominion Energy will persist in installing monopiles until the fall of 2024, with installations resuming in May 2025.
Economic and Job Benefits for Virginia
Offshore wind projects like CVOW bring transformative economic development and job creation opportunities to Hampton Roads and the Commonwealth of Virginia.
More than 800 Virginia-based workers, including nearly 670 in the Hampton Roads region, have been engaged in the CVOW project or with businesses supporting its development.
Additionally, the project is expected to generate over 1,000 local jobs to sustain ongoing operations and maintenance once it commences commercial operation.