Largest U.S. Offshore Wind Project Makes Progress Despite Challenges

The largest planned offshore wind project in the U.S., Dominion Energy’s Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW), is 60% complete and on track to begin delivering electricity early next year. Officials reported during an earnings call that 134 foundations and all deepwater power cables have been installed, with 176 foundations ultimately planned. The project, expected to power 660,000 homes, is a rare bright spot in the U.S. offshore wind industry, which has faced setbacks due to high costs and opposition from the Trump administration.
Dominion CEO Robert Blue emphasized the project’s alignment with President Trump’s energy priorities, calling it a key part of the company’s strategy to meet growing energy demands in Virginia, a hub for data centers. The facility, with a total capacity of 2,600 megawatts, is the largest of five U.S. projects under construction.
Despite progress, the project has not been immune to challenges. Trump’s tariffs on imported steel have increased costs, pushing the project’s budget to $11.3 billion. However, the pending arrival of the Charybdis, the first American-flagged turbine installation vessel, marks a significant milestone. The vessel, built in Brownsville, Texas, will streamline operations by directly transporting turbine components from the Portsmouth Marine Terminal to the project site.
Dominion remains confident in the project’s timeline, attributing its optimism to the reduced risk associated with the Charybdis’s capabilities. The first turbines are expected to be installed later this year, with full operation set for early 2026.

Published: 8/4/2025