Offshore Wind Energy Off Virginia’s Coast: Past, Present & Future
Virginia has significant potential for the development of offshore wind resources off its coast. The Commonwealth has the only research lease for offshore renewable energy awarded by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). A two-turbine, 12 megawatt (MW) demonstration project is slated for development in this 2,135-acre research lease, and the project is currently in the final stages of BOEM approval with a 2020 target completion date. This demonstration project is the precursor to the full-scale build out of the 112,800-acre Wind Energy Area (WEA) located approximately 23.5 nautical miles offshore from the Virginia Beach coastline. The federal lease for this WEA was executed in November 2013 with Dominion Virginia Power, which is an investor-owned utility. The full build-out of this WEA has the potential to produce up to 2,000 MW of wind generation.
The Commonwealth’s rich history of support for the development of offshore wind energy resources began with the 2007 founding of the Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium (VCERC). VCERC was created to serve as an interdisciplinary study, research, and information resource for the Commonwealth on coastal energy issues. It provides the research and development required for the commercialization and implementation of renewable energy, specifically offshore wind and wave resources in Virginia.
In 2010, the Commonwealth’s commitment to offshore wind grew with the creation of the Virginia Offshore Wind Development Authority (VOWDA). VOWDA is vested with the powers set forth in § 67‐1201 of the Code of Virginia for the purposes of facilitating, coordinating, and supporting the development of the offshore wind energy industry, offshore wind energy projects and associated supply chain businesses.
More recently, Virginia’s General Assembly passed legislation during the 2018 session that has the potential to further expand the offshore wind industry in Virginia. The legislation deems 5,000 MW of utility-scale solar and wind resources to be in the public interest, including the 12 MW demonstration project discussed above. Governor Ralph Northam signed the legislation which became law on July 1, 2018.
For full detail on the Virginia Clean Economy Act, click HERE.
Virginia's Offshore Wind Timeline
Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium
Through SB 262, the Virginia General Assembly created the Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium (VCERC) in 2006 to serve as an interdisciplinary study, research and information resource for the Commonwealth on coastal energy issues.
Virginia Holds its First Offshore Wind Conference
The first Virginia-based offshore wind conference, called “The Virginia Beach Workshop on Wind,” was held in 2009. It included over 100 stakeholders from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management – BOEM, (then named Minerals Management Service – MMS), United States military, offshore wind developers, potential offshore wind supply chain and workforce interests, academia, localities and more.
Virginia Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force
BOEM formed the Virginia Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force in 2009 to determine an acceptable location on the outer continental shelf for leasing and development of offshore wind energy. This 134-member group includes, among others, representatives from federal and state agencies, Hampton Roads local governments, Virginia Port Authority, NASA Wallops Flight Facility, Department of Defense and branches of the U.S. military. .
Virginia Offshore Wind Energy Development Authority
The Virginia General Assembly created the Virginia Offshore Wind Energy Development Authority (VOWDA) in 2010 to facilitate and support the development of the offshore wind industry and wind-powered electric energy facilities located off Virginia’s coast beyond the Commonwealth's three-mile jurisdictional limit.
Virginia Beach Hosts the Commonwealth’s Second Offshore Wind Conference
Virginia Beach once again played host to the Commonwealth’s second offshore wind conference in 2011. This time over 300 attendees participated in multiple breakout sessions, and U.S. Senator Mark Warner encouraged their efforts to bring offshore wind in Virginia to fruition.
Regional Geophysical Survey and Interpretive Report
The Virginia Department of Energy (formerly The Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy) and BOEM contracted with Fugro in 2013 to conduct a regional geophysical survey across Virginia’s Wind Energy Area (WEA).
Virginia Offshore Wind Technology Advancement Project
DMME signed an agreement with BOEM in 2015 for the first offshore research lease in the country. DMME named Dominion Energy to be the Designated Operator for the lease to enable the construction of the Virginia Offshore Wind Technology Advancement Project (VOWTAP). The VOWTAP consisted of two 6 MW wind turbines on the 2,135-acre research lease site. The project stalled following schedule delays, resulting in the loss of $40 million in U.S. Department of Energy funds.
Virginia Offshore Wind Port Readiness Study
The Virginia Offshore Wind Port Readiness Study, developed as three separate reports, analyzed the readiness of Virginia’s ports and commercial shipyards to accommodate nearly a dozen manufacturing and construction activities necessary in the development of offshore wind generation facilities. The study concluded that five of Virginia’s ports offer a high level of potential, and with strategic investments are well placed to handle large-scale activities to support an east coast offshore wind industry.
Collaborative Fisheries Planning for Virginia’s Offshore Wind Energy Area
DMME, BOEM and the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program initiated a process in 2015 to collaborate with the recreational and commercial fishing sectors identifying fishing communities potentially affected by the Virginia WEA; (2) developing accurate, fine-scale maps of key fishing areas in and around the Virginia WEA.
Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Research Project
Dominion Energy, partnered with Danish offshore wind developer, Ørsted, in 2017 to refine the original plans for the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project (CVOW).
Grid Transformation and Security Act
Virginia’s legislature passed the Grid Transformation and Security Act in 2018, which deems 5,000 MW of utility-scale solar and wind energy generation to be in the public interest.
Virginia Offshore Wind Supply Chain and Service Industry Analysis
The Northam Administration issued a Request for Proposals in May 2018 seeking offshore wind industry expertise to help deploy strategies that will strengthen Virginia’s position in attracting the offshore wind supply chain and service industry to the Commonwealth. DMME awarded the contract to BVG Associates (BVGA) in July 2018.
Port of Virginia Readies to be Deepest on East Coast
The Port of Virginia’s “The Wider, Deeper, Safer” project gained U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approval in July 2018 to take the channels to 55 feet deep and widen them in select areas to allow for two-way traffic of ultra-large containerships.
Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Hampton Roads Pass Resolution Supporting Offshore Wind Development
The Virginia Beach City Council voted in August 2018 to adopt a resolution supporting offshore wind development off Virginia’s coast. The Norfolk City Council and Hampton Roads Planning District Commission followed suit and voted in November 2018 to also adopt a resolution supporting offshore wind development off Virginia’s coast.
"FastForward" Training Programs at Virginia's Community Colleges
The Northam Administration announced the launch of a $2 million initiative in August 2018 to attract young adults in Virginia to high-demand jobs through FastForward training programs at Virginia’s Community Colleges. The first-in-the-nation, pay-for-performance workforce training program has delivered more than 11,000 credentials in high demand industries over the past two years. The effort links together proven and highly successful training, career coaching and job placement services to address the historically challenging issue of youth employment.
2018 Virginia Energy Plan Sets Offshore Wind Goals
Governor Ralph Northam released the 2018 Virginia Energy Plan, which provides a strategic vision for the Commonwealth’s energy policy over the next 10 years. Offshore wind recommendations include committing to a goal that the full 2,000 MW of offshore wind potential in Virginia’s wind energy area be developed by 2028. The plan calls for including the offshore wind industry as a priority in future workforce development and economic development strategic plans. It also encourages initiating regional collaboration with neighboring states to help provide greater certainty for the industry as it looks to establish a long-term project pipeline.
Virginia Offshore Wind Supply Chain and Service Industry Roadmap
Governor Ralph Northam released the BVG Associates LLC-led analysis, “The Virginia Advantage: The Roadmap for the Offshore Wind Supply Chain in Virginia,” providing a roadmap for Virginia to develop an offshore wind supply chain to serve emerging offshore wind projects along the East Coast. The report analyzed Virginia’s potential strategic role in the rapidly emerging US offshore wind industry. The recommendations include establishing a regional supply chain collaborative with neighboring states, creating a Virginia Office for Offshore Wind, soliciting anchor tenant suppliers and expanding workforce development opportunities.
Virginia Joins National Offshore Wind Research and Development Consortium
In January 2019, Virginia joined the National Offshore Wind Research and Development Consortium, which was formed to develop cost-effective and responsible development of offshore wind through the collaboration of industry leaders, utilities, research laboratories and other states to maximize economic benefits for the United States. The Consortium provides funding, technology validation and leadership as partners to accelerate the development and innovation of the United States offshore wind industry
Newport News and Chesapeake Pass Resolution Supporting Offshore Wind Development
The Newport News City Council and Chesapeake City Council both voted in March 2019 to adopt a resolution supporting offshore wind development off Virginia’s coast.