Dominion Energy Virginia has awarded a $1.9 billion Balance of Plant (BoP) contract for the construction of the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project to a consortium which includes DEME Offshore US LLC and Prysmian.
The 2.6-GW offshore wind farm will be one of the largest worldwide and the largest in the US. Located approximately 27 miles (43 km) off the coast of Virginia Beach, the wind farm will have the capacity to supply clean energy to 660,000 homes.
The Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project will help the Commonwealth of Virginia to meet its goal of carbon neutrality by 2045. The contract will cover the transportation and installation of 176 monopile transition piece foundations, three offshore substations, scour protection and the installation of export and inter-array submarine cable systems. DEME Offshore will oversee the installation work.
Luc Vandenbulcke, CEO, DEME Group said: “We are extremely proud to be playing such a significant role in this dynamic and growing U.S. market and seeing our efforts bring clean energy to American households. Following the award of the Vineyard offshore wind project installation works for foundations, substation and wind turbines and South Fork cable installation works, this partnership with Dominion Energy is an endorsement of our expertise and track record in enabling the energy transition process in the U.S. This contract further reaffirms DEME’s position as the pre-eminent contractor in the offshore wind installation industry both in the U.S. and globally.”
The construction work, which will include 180 turbines standing slightly more than 800 feet tall, should begin in 2024, according to reports. The offshore wind farm is expected to be completed and operational by 2026.
The initial Coastal Virginia pilot project will be managed by turbine manufacturer Siemens Gamesa. Dominion employees are going to be trained to operate the site once it is completed.
