Dominion Energy installs 44 turbines at Virginia offshore wind farm

Dominion Energy has reached a significant milestone in its Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project, having installed 44 of the planned 176 wind turbines. Work on the 45th turbine is currently underway, representing approximately one-quarter of the total capacity for the 2.6 gigawatt facility.

The project, located off Virginia Beach, utilizes Siemens Gamesa turbines, each with a 14 megawatt capacity. All 176 monopile foundations and transition pieces have been installed, and 143 inter-array cable segments have been laid. The company expects the third and final offshore substation to be energized by the end of 2026.

Installation is being conducted by the Charybdis, the first wind turbine installation vessel built under the Jones Act. While progress in September and October was slightly slower than expected due to weather and maintenance, Dominion maintains its target to complete the project by the end of 2027. The estimated levelized cost of energy has decreased to approximately $62 per megawatt-hour, down from initial estimates of $80 to $90 per megawatt-hour.