July 8, 2019 — Virginia Governor Ralph Northam picked up a shovel July 1 to take part in a ceremonial ground breaking marking the start of construction of the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) demonstration project, consisting of two six-megawatt wind turbines located approximately 27 miles off the coast of Virginia Beach.
This is the first offshore wind project to be installed in federal waters. Dominion Energy is partnering with Ørsted to build the project on 2,135 acres leased by the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy (DMME).
“The Virginia offshore wind demonstration project is another powerful example of the Commonwealth’s position as a leader in renewable energy,” said Governor Northam. “As the first deployment of commercial-scale offshore wind turbines in federal waters, I am thrilled that Virginia’s project will help determine best practices for future offshore wind construction along the East Coast.”