Pioneering Clean Energy: Dominion Energy’s Mark Mitchell on the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Project
December 26, 2024
At the intersection of innovation, collaboration, and sustainability lies Dominion Energy’s Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project, an ambitious venture that is reshaping the energy landscape. I had the privilege of speaking with Mark Mitchell, Senior Vice President of Project Construction at Dominion Energy, to learn about this groundbreaking initiative, the challenges they faced, and the vision it represents for renewable energy in the United States.
The CVOW project is a monumental undertaking, with 176 turbines poised to generate 2.6 gigawatts of clean energy—enough to power 650,000 homes. Mark emphasized that this project is pivotal to Dominion Energy’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2045, aligning with Virginia’s energy goals. Construction is well underway, with full commercialization expected by 2026.
As one of the first large-scale offshore wind projects in the U.S., CVOW encountered unique challenges. Mark highlighted the logistical complexity of manufacturing and sequentially installing massive turbine components.
The Jones Act, which requires U.S.-built and -crewed vessels for transporting goods between domestic ports, presented another challenge.
“There are very few vessels in the world that can install this size of equipment… and none in the United States,” Mark stated.
Recognizing the lack of suitable vessels in the U.S., Dominion invested in building their own Jones Act-compliant installation vessel, The Charybdis. This vessel can transport and install foundations and turbines of offshore wind facilities in water depths up to 213 feet. The ship’s hull has a length of 472 feet, a width of 184 feet and a main deck area of 58,000 square feet, making it one of the biggest vessels of its kind in the world.
Mark also stressed the importance of early stakeholder engagement and open communication. From hosting hundreds of community meetings to carefully planning the onshore transmission routes, Dominion prioritized minimizing disruptions and addressing local concerns.
“It’s one of the few projects that went through the state approval process where there was lots of engagement and lots of discussion…but there was nobody there that actually opposed the project, which I haven’t been involved in a project like that before,” said Mark.
Looking ahead, Dominion Energy is well-positioned to lead the expansion of offshore wind. With additional leases off the coasts of North Carolina and Virginia, the company envisions offshore wind as a cornerstone of its renewable energy strategy. Despite potential policy shifts, Mark remains optimistic about the sector’s growth, citing its scalability, job creation, and environmental benefits.
Mark’s advice for companies embarking on similarly ambitious projects? Plan meticulously, engage stakeholders early, and be prepared to adapt. By locking in contracts and mitigating risks during the development phase, Dominion has set a high bar for project management in renewable energy.
The Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project is more than an engineering feat—it’s a testament to what can be achieved through vision, innovation, and collaboration. As Mark noted, “There’s been a lot of success along the way, and a lot of great people that work on this project, which is what really makes it successful at the end of the day.”
This article was written by Stella Atkins, a Cleantech Corner Initiative intern.