Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Project Delivers First Power to Grid
The Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project, developed by Dominion Energy, has begun delivering electricity to the grid, marking a significant milestone in Virginia’s clean energy transition. The project is on schedule and anticipated to be fully completed by the conclude of 2026.
Project Overview
Located approximately 24 nautical miles (28 miles; 44 km) off the coast of Virginia Beach in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area, CVOW is the largest offshore wind project currently under development in the United States. The project covers a lease area of 112,800 acres (456 km2) and has a planned capacity of 2.6 gigawatts (GW). Once fully operational, it is expected to generate enough electricity to power approximately 660,000 homes .
Recent Developments and Construction
Construction of the $11.2 billion project resumed in January 2026 after a temporary pause due to national security concerns raised by the federal government . A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction allowing Dominion Energy to continue work while a lawsuit challenging the Department of Interior’s 90-day stop order proceeds. The first of the 176 turbines were delivered by ship to the leasing area in January 2026 and foundations for all turbines have already been installed .
Turbine Specifications
The wind farm will utilize 176 Siemens Gamesa SG 14-222 DD fixed-bottom wind turbines, each with a capacity of 14.7 megawatts (MW) and a 222-meter (728 ft) rotor diameter. Two 6 MW pilot project turbines are included . The hub height of the turbines is 482 feet (147 m) .
Contribution to Clean Energy Goals
The CVOW project is a key component of Virginia’s energy strategy and Dominion Energy’s commitment to achieving Net Zero carbon and methane emissions by 2050 . The project is expected to avoid millions of tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually .
Key Takeaways
- The Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project has begun delivering power to the grid.
- The project has a total capacity of 2.6 GW and will power approximately 660,000 homes.
- Construction resumed in January 2026 after a brief pause related to national security concerns.
- CVOW is a crucial part of Virginia’s clean energy transition and Dominion Energy’s Net Zero goals.
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