RICHMOND, Va. — Dominion Energy is partnering with Denmark’s DONG Energy to build two wind turbines off the coast of Virginia Beach.
Dominion announced Monday the six-megawatt turbines will be built approximately 27 miles off the coast, far enough that they won’t be visible from the shore.
The turbines are expected to power about 3,000 homes and provide operational, weather and environmental experience to open the door to the development of a much larger adjacent site that Dominion says could power half a million homes.
The nation’s first offshore wind farm opened off Rhode Island in December. Dominion says this project could be the second.
The effort has been years in the making, delayed by high cost estimates.
“Virginia is now positioned to be a leader in developing more renewable energy thanks to the Commonwealth’s committed leadership and DONG’s unrivaled expertise in building offshore wind farms,” said Thomas F. Farrell II, Dominion Energy’s chairman, president and chief executive officer, said in a press release. “While we have faced many technological challenges and even more doubters as we advanced this project, we have been steadfast in our commitment to our customers and the communities we serve.”
David Gay says
Is 27 miles out in the Atlantic beyond the Northeast flyway? Will this impact bird migrations? If it is beyond the flyway it could be a great thing for the economy of Virginia and Cape Charles.
Charles says
How is this going to impact VACAPES, launches from Wallops Island, and military operations in the area?
sandra beerends says
will the eastern shore get any of the electricity?