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Largest Offshore Wind Farm Project in US Gets Final Environmental Permit

Last Updated on 16th April 2024

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued the final Clean Air Act Outer Continental Shelf air quality permit for the Virginia offshore wind project, which, once operational, will be the largest offshore wind project in the USA.

 

Dominion Energy's Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Commercial (CVOW-C) project will generate roughly 2.6 GW of renewable energy, powering over 660,000 homes. The CVOW-C project will be located off the coast of Virginia Beach and will feature up to 176 wind turbines situated 26 to 38 nautical miles from the coast.

 

Largest Offshore Wind Farm Project in US Gets Final Environmental Permit

 

The permit, issued on April 9, 2024, authorizes the construction and operation of the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project. It includes requirements such as the prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) permitting program and applicable Virginia Department of Environmental Quality regulations that govern air pollutants from the construction and operation of the wind farm. These regulations also apply to the vessels used for construction and support.

 

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The EPA coordinated its review of this permit with other federal agencies, such as the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, "To have the largest offshore wind project right here in the Mid-Atlantic is both a privilege and a responsibility. We take our role in enabling clean energy initiatives very seriously." He added that the project would generate enough renewable energy to power nearly five times as many homes as Richmond's.

 

What is the Clean Air Act Outer Continental Shelf Air Quality Permit ?

The Clean Air Act Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Air Quality Permit is a set of regulations that apply to facilities located beyond state seaward boundaries. These regulations establish the applicable air pollution control requirements.

Key Points:

Inner OCS Sources: Facilities located within 25 nautical miles of a state seaward boundary, known as "inner OCS sources,"  must comply with the air quality requirements of the corresponding onshore area (COA). This includes New Source Review preconstruction permitting and/or Part 70 Title V operating permit program requirements, as well as other state and local requirements.


Outer OCS Sources: Facilities located beyond 25 nautical miles from the state seaward boundary, known as “outer OCS sources,” are subject to only federal air quality requirements. They may need OCS permits complying with the EPA’s Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) preconstruction permit program.
 

 

Read: Top Five Upcoming Offshore Wind Farm Power Projects in the United States (US)

 

Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Project: An Overview 

The Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project is a significant initiative in the renewable energy sector, located about 27 miles off the coast of Virginia Beach, Virginia. This project represents a substantial step towards harnessing wind energy, contributing to environmental sustainability, and moving towards a future less dependent on fossil fuels.

 

The commercial-scale project of CVOW is scheduled to begin offshore construction in 2024 and is expected to be completed in 2026. This phase is a 2.6 GW offshore wind energy project that will consist of 176 wind turbines. The approved version of the project will have an estimated capacity of about 2,600 megawatts of clean energy, capable of powering over 660,000 homes.

 

Project Timeline

 

Year

Project Status

2013

Dominion Energy executed a lease agreement with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

2017

BOEM approved Site Assessment Plan

2019

Dominion Energy announces commitment to CVOW

2022

CVOW approved by the Virginia State Corporation Commission

2023

Major Equipment Manufacturing

2024

Commencement of Construction

2026

Expected Commissioning

 

Read: OX2's Aurora Offshore Windfarm Secures Key Environmental Permit

 

Project Location

 

 

CVOW will be located in a 112,800-acre lease area—nearly twice the size of the City of Norfolk—just east of the dominion's existing pilot project, 27 miles off the coast of Virginia Beach. 

 

Read: US Government Approves the Seventh-Largest Offshore Windfarm in the Country: Sunrise Wind

 

Project Infrastructure

The project infrastructure includes three offshore substations, undersea cables, and new onshore transmission infrastructure. These components are crucial for delivering emissions-free wind power to homes and businesses.

 


The energy from each wind turbine will be "bundled" together at one of three offshore substations to be built within the offshore lease area. Undersea cables then deliver the energy onshore at the State Military Reservation (SMR) in Virginia Beach. The cables continue underground through SMR to Naval Air Station Oceana.

 

Read: Ørsted Submits Proposal for Starboard Offshore Wind Project: Powering the State of Connecticut

 

Project Entities

The Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project involves several key entities:

 

Dominion Energy

Dominion Energy is the primary entity behind the CVOW project. It is the first electric utility company to own an offshore wind project. Dominion Energy was designated as the lease operator.Apart from C-VOW Dominion energy is executing various renewable energy projects in US.

 

Ørsted US Offshore Wind

Ørsted US Offshore Wind collaborated with Dominion Energy on the project. They were contracted to construct the two turbines in the pilot phase. Apart from manufacturing, Ørsted is executing several key offshore wind projects in US.

 

Virginia Department of Energy

The Virginia Department of Energy is leasing the site for the CVOW project.

 

L.E. Myers Company

The L.E. Myers Company was selected to perform onshore electrical design and construction.

 

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is involved in the regulatory approval process.

 

Read: US Administration Approves 2.6 GW New England Offshore Wind Project

 

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