Dominion Energy's 2.6-gigawatt Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project, located 30 miles off Virginia Beach, is on track to begin feeding power to the grid in March 2026. The utility has completed installation of all 176 turbine foundations ahead of schedule, aided by good weather and a quiet hurricane season. This milestone positions the project to meet rising energy demands amid political uncertainties.
The Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project, developed by Dominion Energy, marks a significant step in U.S. renewable energy expansion. Situated about 30 miles off the coast of Virginia Beach, Virginia, the 2.6-gigawatt initiative has progressed rapidly despite challenges from federal permitting and political headwinds.
As of the end of September, Dominion had installed all 176 turbine foundations, a key milestone that involved pile-driving 98 foundations into the soft seabed during the permitted May-through-October window. This period is restricted to protect migrating North Atlantic right whales. "A big, important milestone," said Dominion Energy spokesperson Jeremy Slayton. Good weather and an unusually quiet Atlantic hurricane season accelerated the work, avoiding potential delays until next spring.
In an August earnings call, CEO Robert Blue outlined a vague start in "early 2026," but Slayton provided a more definitive timeline: "First power will occur in Q1 of next year," with full completion by late 2026.
The project enjoys bipartisan support in Virginia, including from Governor Glenn Youngkin and U.S. Representative Jen Kiggans, who represents the Virginia Beach area. Kiggans highlighted its importance on the House floor last month, emphasizing national security benefits for Naval Air Station Oceana through a $500 million power grid upgrade in partnership with Dominion. House Speaker Mike Johnson relayed her concerns to President Donald Trump, stating, "I understand the priority for Virginians and we want to do right by them, so we’ll see."
CVOW addresses Virginia's surging electricity demand from data-center growth, providing carbon-free power to Dominion, the state's largest utility. The 12-year effort has cost $6 billion, with nearly $1 billion boosting the local Hampton Roads economy and creating 802 full- and part-time jobs, according to Dominion's G.T. Hollett. Nationwide, it has generated 2,000 direct and indirect jobs and $2 billion in economic activity, per Southeastern Wind Coalition president Katharine Kollins.
Next, Dominion will install turbines using the U.S.-built Charybdis vessel, which arrived in Portsmouth Marine Terminal last month and can handle four turbines per trip. Slayton noted the timing aligns with Virginia's "record growth and energy demand."