Dominion Energy Virginia Offshore Wind project : Siemens Gamesa selected as preferred turbine supplier

Dominion Energy has selected Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy as the preferred turbine supplier for the 2.64GW Dominion Energy Virginia Offshore Wind project proposed to be built off the coast of Virginia.

The project, which is touted to become the largest offshore wind power project in the US. 

As per the preferred supplier agreement, Siemens Gamesa will supply the latest and advance level turbines from its  Offshore Direct Drive platform. The final number of turbine numbers to be installed at the Dominion Energy Virginia Offshore Wind project are to be determined during a later phase of the early development period.

According to the Spanish wind turbine manufacturer, installations of the Siemens Gamesa Direct Drive offshore wind turbines are expected to be wrapped up by end of 2026.

Andreas Nauen – CEO of the Siemens Gamesa Offshore Business Unit said: “Internationally, every Siemens Gamesa Direct Drive offshore wind turbine we install increases the impact made by the renewable energy industry in avoiding CO2 emissions from power generation. Locally, we help our customers provide cost-efficient clean energy as well as additional economic benefits.”

Siemens Gamesa selected as preferred turbine supplier for the Dominion Energy Virginia Offshore Wind project. Photo courtesy of Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, S.A.

The agreement between Dominion Energy and Siemens Gamesa is also expected to help in the submission of the Construction and Operations Plan (COP) of the offshore wind farm to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) later this year.

Siemens Gamesa was selected for the Dominion Energy Virginia Offshore Wind project based on a mix of cost, performance, and its track record as one of the major suppliers of wind turbines in the world. 

Mark D. Mitchell – Dominion Energy vice president of generation construction said: “Siemens Gamesa is a global leader in offshore wind technology and has proven to be a great partner in our CVOW project. We look forward to continuing our relationship as we bring clean, renewable energy to our customers and support Governor Ralph Northam’s commitment to have Virginia lead the way in offshore wind.”

The ocean survey work for the offshore wind farm will be launched this year and will be incorporated into the COP. The work will be carried out in the 112,800 acres off the coast of Virginia Beach, which was secured by Dominion Energy via lease from BOEM in 2013. 

The Dominion Energy Virginia Offshore Wind farm is expected to produce enough electricity to power 650,000 homes across Virginia, while offsetting 3.7 million tons of carbon emissions per year.

In June 2019, Dominion Energy began construction on a pilot 12MW offshore wind power project, which is said to be the initial step in designing and building the larger commercial offshore wind development. The two 6MW turbines to be manufactured by Siemens Gamesa for the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project (CVOW offshore wind farm) will be installed this spring and are slated to be commissioned later this year.

Dominion Energy will use the knowledge gained from the permitting, design and development of the pilot project for the Dominion Energy Virginia Offshore Wind project.