Dominion Energy has confirmed that on 23 May 2023 the first monopile foundation for the 2.6-GW Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) Commercial project, was installed
The foundation for the windfarm, the largest offshore windfarm under construction in the US, was installed approximately 29 miles off the Virginia Beach coast. The monopile was installed by Orion, DEME Group’s heavy-lift vessel.
Dominion Energy secured the last two major federal approvals needed to begin construction of Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Commercial in January 2024.
Dominion Energy chair, president and chief executive Bob Blue said, “This is a monumental day for the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind team, who have worked tirelessly to keep this project on budget and on schedule to provide our customers with reliable, affordable and increasingly clean energy.” He said the company and its contractors “are taking extensive precautions to ensure this project is fully protective of the environment and to protect marine species.”
Consistent with the project construction schedule, Dominion Energy will continue to install monopiles through the fall of 2024 and resume installations in May 2025.
To protect the endangered North Atlantic right whale, no monopiles will be installed between November 1 and April 30, the time that the whales are expected to be migrating past the project area.
Additional measures to protect whales and other aquatic life include the use of bubble curtains to create a wall of bubbles around the monopiles during installation to reduce soundwaves underwater. Vessels will also be staffed by Protected Species Observers and will adhere to speed restrictions to avoid collisions with protected species.
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