Dominion Gets BOEM Nod Virginia OWF

American power and energy company  Dominion Energy has received two key determinations from the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) regarding the design, fabrication and installation of the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project.

According to the US utility, BOEM issued a no objection determination on the Facility Design Report (FDR) and Fabrication and Installation Report (FIR) for the CVOW project - the first offshore wind farm in the mid-Atlantic.

“This is a significant milestone as we move forward on building the first-ever fully permitted offshore wind project in federal waters,” said Mark D. Mitchell, Dominion Energy’s vice president of generation construction.” This process will provide key learning we can apply to our commercial-scale offshore wind project.”

Dominion filed the specific reports together with Denmark’s Ørsted, which is acting as an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor for the project, and turbine supplier Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy SA.

The proposed wind park will use two 6-MW turbines that will be installed in a federal lease area about 27 miles (43.5 km) off the coast of Virginia Beach.

“This formal approval is a significant milestone for the Coastal Virginia project,” said Steve Dayney, U.S. Head of Offshore, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE). “We are very proud of this accomplishment which will enable us to maintain momentum in the project and may serve as a blueprint of success for others.”

Wind is part of a broader effort to deliver renewable energy, including solar, as Dominion Energy honors its commitment to reduce carbon emissions. The company recently announced the largest offshore wind project in the United States. With approval from the State Corporation Commission, it would generate more than 2,600 megawatts of energy by 2026.