An offshore wind farm in Virginia is expected to save customers billions of dollars once it’s finished.
The Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind CVOW project is on track to be completed by late 2026. It’s almost halfway done, and despite taking a break to protect the endangered North Atlantic right whale during its migration, the project is still on schedule and within budget.
During this pause, the project is also using “protected species observers” to monitor marine life, including whales, sea turtles, and other animals, stopping work if any of these species are within certain areas. Additional environmental protections include training for workers and monitoring underwater noise.
When completed, the CVOW will have 176 turbines, generating enough clean energy to power 660,000 homes. Dominion Energy, the company behind the project, expects it will save customers $3 billion in fuel costs over the first ten years.
Offshore wind farms, like this one, are more efficient than land-based ones because the winds offshore are stronger and more constant.
Each turbine will produce enough electricity in about 46 minutes to power a typical U.S. home for a whole month. This project will not only provide electricity to over half a million homes but will also create hundreds of jobs.
John Larson, from Dominion Energy, mentioned the project’s significant impact. He said it would power nearly 25% of Virginia’s homes, and when the turbines are running, no fuel will be used, and no emissions will be produced. This is like taking about a million gas-powered cars off the road each year.