Virginia
Virginia has long been a leader in maritime industries, and given the central location along the Atlantic, robust port infrastructure, and ample wind resources, the Commonwealth is paving the way for offshore wind development. As the largest offshore wind project in the country, Dominion Energy’s Commercial Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project will be constructed off Virginia Beach and produce 2,600 MW of electricity once operational in 2026. Inland, Virginia will also 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.
These projects position Virginia to reach its wind energy procurement goals outlined in the Virginia Clean Economy Act, which calls for 5,200 MW of offshore wind and 16,100 MW of onshore wind or solar by 2035.
With this in mind, component manufacturers are already looking toward the Commonwealth for potential expansion, further cementing Virginia’s status as a powerhouse of the industry. For example, Siemens Gamesa is constructing a blade finishing facility in Portsmouth, and Skanska is redeveloping part of the Port of Virginia to allow for offshore wind staging. Both of these projects will be critical for keeping future wind energy development cost-competitive with other renewable resources.
