Dominion Energy announced that DEME Group has successfully lifted and installed the first of three offshore substations as construction progresses on its offshore wind farm (OWF) off Virginia Beach. Once completed, it will be the largest wind farm in the US. The Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project has reached several key milestones as it prepares to enter its next installation phase in May 2025.
The substation was placed atop one of the jacket foundations, marking a significant step forward in offshore construction. DEME’s installation vessel, Orion, carried out the lift and has now resumed installing transition pieces. By February 2025, 16 transition pieces had been placed following the completion of 78 monopile foundations between May and November 2024. The next phase of monopile installation begins this spring, with the OWF set to feature 176 turbines generating 2.6 GW of electricity upon completion. Despite challenges facing the US offshore wind (OSW) industry, Dominion Energy affirms that the project is now 50 per cent complete and remains on track to finish construction by the end of 2026.
Meanwhile, the Port of Virginia and Sweden’s Skanska US have completed a $233 million redevelopment of the Portsmouth Marine Terminal, preparing 72 acres and 1,500 feet of wharf space for staging and wind operations. The facility now includes three heavy lift berths and storage areas for turbine components. Dominion reported that fabrication of wind turbine towers and blades is in progress, with nacelle production set to begin soon. Other major components, including monopiles and undersea cables, continue arriving in Portsmouth for staging.
In addition, the Skanska-led JV with its partner McLean Contracting Company announced in March 2024, its selection by the Port of Virginia to revitalize the Norfolk International Terminal (NIT) North Wharf. The contract, valued at $85 million, marked a significant step in enhancing the terminal’s infrastructure. The contracted project has an anticipated completion date of January 2026. On behalf of the Virginia Port Authority, Skanska has previously completed numerous projects including NIT North Wharf Expansion, Part 2, and NIT South Renovation Phase I. In addition, Skanska is currently redeveloping approximately 72 acres of the 287-acre Portsmouth Marine Terminal for use as an OSW staging port.
Skanska also won a contract worth $861 million in May 2024, to transform the 73-acre South Brooklyn Marine Terminal (SBMT) into one of the nation’s largest dedicated OSW ports. As per Skanska US, this state-of-the-art facility will provide New York City with clean and alternative energy, as well as serve as a national model for renewable energy hubs. The extensive project scope includes the demolition of existing buildings, ground improvements to support the staging of the wind turbine components, installation of underground utilities, etc. This infrastructure project was set to support Empire Wind, which is currently being developed by Equinor, 15 to 30 miles off New York. Construction on SBMT began in June 2024, and will take about two years to complete. Offshore construction will begin in 2025. First power is expected to be delivered in late 2026. Empire Wind is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2027.