Virginia
Advancing Wind Energy in the Commonwealth
Virginia Leads the Southeast in Offshore Wind
Virginia has long been a leader in maritime industries, and the Commonwealth is paving the way for offshore wind development in the Southeast. The state’s coastline offers a promising locale for offshore wind due to the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf’s expansive, shallow waters, which are conducive to the installation of wind turbines.
Virginia’s potential to become an industry hub is bolstered by its strategic geographic location, which not only provides access to strong and consistent wind resources but also positions the state as a potential leader in the Mid-Atlantic for offshore wind energy development.
Virginia’s Advantage
Ranked as the #1 state for business
Deepest harbor on the east coast
Robust shipbuilding and repair industry
World-class university and community college system
18+ manufacturers capable of creating components for
turbines and transmission needs
Virginian voters support offshore wind
3 wind energy areas in close proximity
Project Pipeline
With one project under construction and two more in the pipeline, Virginia is on track to reach its wind energy procurement goals outlined in the 2020 Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA), which calls for 5,200 MW of offshore wind and 16,100 MW of onshore wind or solar by 2035.
Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW): As the largest offshore wind project in the country, CVOW will produce 2,600 MW of electricity once operational in 2026.
Developed by Dominion Energy
Largest offshore wind project in development in the United States
176 X 14.7 MW Siemens Gamesa turbines
2.6 GW total capacity – enough to power 660,000 homes annually
Will support ~1,100 jobs
Currently under construction, scheduled for 2026 completion
CVOW-South: Formerly the Kitty Hawk North offshore wind area, this project will transfer from Avangrid Renewables to Dominion Energy as part of an acquisition agreement between the two parties. Located southeast of Virginia Beach, CVOW-South has the potential to provide approximately 800 MWs of clean energy into Virginia.
Wind Energy Area C: In August 2024, Dominion Energy won an auction for this wind energy area (WEA) held by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). At 176,505 acres, this WEA is expected to provide between 2.5 to 3.5 GWs of offshore wind energy to the Commonwealth.
Rocky Forge Wind Farm: Inland, Virginia will be the site of the Rocky Forge Wind Farm in Botetourt County, which will provide 75 MW of clean energy to communities in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
CVOW Pilot: Completed in 2020, the CVOW pilot project - consisting of two 12 MW turbines - was the first offshore wind project in federal waters. To learn more, check out the video below from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM).
Video courtesy of BOEM