Commonwealth of Virginia to Purchase 420 MW Renewable Energy

State-owned buildings and facilities in Virginia will soon be powered with renewable energy under a new agreement between the Commonwealth and Dominion Energy

State-owned buildings and facilities in Virginia will soon be powered with renewable energy sources like wind and solar energy projects under a new agreement between the Commonwealth and power utility Dominion Energy.

The agreement represents the largest procurement of renewable energy by a state to meet its own renewable energy needs, a significant step in accepting Governor Ralph Northam’s challenge to power state government with clean energy sources.

Under the partnership, Dominion Energy will supply the Commonwealth with 420 MW of renewable energy. When combined with previously announced solar projects, the power produced is enough to meet the equivalent of 45 percent of the state government’s annual energy use.

The clean energy package consists of a 75 MW wind project and four proposed solar projects totaling 345 MW slated to come online in stages over the next three years, pending local approvals. The projects will be dedicated to the Commonwealth of Virginia and will have no impact on customer rates.

• Rocky Forge Wind is under development by Apex Clean Energy in Botetourt County and will be the first onshore wind project in Virginia.
• Belcher Solar, owned by Dominion Energy, in Louisa County was developed by a joint venture among Virginia Solar LLC and MAP Energy LLC and will provide 88 MW at peak output.
• Bedford Solar in the City of Chesapeake is under development by Lincoln Clean Energy and will provide 70 MW at peak output.
• Walnut Solar in King and Queen County is under development by Open Road Renewables and will provide at least 90 MW at peak output.
• A fourth solar project (to be named) will provide the remaining generation.

“My administration is committed to combating climate change and advancing the clean energy economy,” said Governor Ralph Northam. “It has been a historic month for renewable energy in the Commonwealth – with this landmark contract, we are continuing to lead by example in cutting emissions, investing in clean energy, and ensuring a healthy world for future generations.”

Dominion Energy intends to be one of the most sustainable companies in the United States. By 2030, Dominion Energy has committed to reducing power generating facility carbon emissions 55 percent from 2005 levels and reducing gas asset methane emissions 50 percent from 2010 levels.

The agreement with the Commonwealth of Virginia also represents major progress toward Dominion Energy‘s commitment to having 3,000 MW of solar and wind resources in operation or under development by 2022; with the addition of the associated projects, Dominion Energy will have fulfilled approximately 40 percent of this commitment.