Virginia nods to Dominion's plan for 500 MW of fresh solar

Dominion Energy Virginia, part of Dominion Energy (NYSE:D), has obtained regulatory clearance to add close to 500 MW of solar to its portfolio, either through power off-take deals or self-owned projects.

The utility announced the approval by the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) on Monday, saying the new capacity will come from nine wind farms, to be capable of generating electricity for 125,000 homes at peak output.

Six of the nine projects relate to power purchase agreements (PPAs) that were selected in competitive solicitations held by Dominion. The other three, meanwhile, are schemes that the utility will own and operate on its own. Namely, those are the 20-MW Grassfield photovoltaic (PV) park in the City of Chesapeake, the 20-MW plant in James City County and the 42-MW Sycamore solar farm in Pittsylvania County.

The projects will support the objectives of the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA) and Dominion Energy's goal of net zero emissions. The specific Act calls for 16.1 GW of solar and onshore wind to be in operation in the state by 2035, with about a third to be procured through PPAs.

Dominion Energy recently said it is seeking proposals for close to 1.2 GW of renewable energy generation and up to 100 MW of energy storage to back VCEA.

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