US power utility Dominion Energy Virginia will expand its renewable energy portfolio with the addition of 764 MW new solar PV capacity, after securing a green signal from the Virginia State Cooperation Commission (SCC).
The commission recently approved the utility's October 2023 proposal to add more than a dozen new solar projects to its clean energy fleet (see North America Solar PV News Snippets).
These projects comprise 4 solar plants with a combined 329 MW capacity will be owned or acquired by the utility. These are located in the counties of Powhatan, Pittsylvania, Richmond, and Henry and Pittsylvania. According to the utility, these projects are planned to be completed by 2026.
The remaining 435 MW is planned to be sourced from independently-owned solar projects under 13 power purchase agreements (PPA).
Once online, all of these projects will expand Dominion Energy's approved solar projects fleet in Virginia to exceed 4.6 GW.
"These projects deliver on our promise of reliable, affordable and increasingly clean energy for our customers," said Dominion Energy Virginia President Ed Baine.
It expects the construction of its own facilities to support over 1,600 jobs and over $570 million in economic benefits across the state. The management estimates the cost of projects to add close to $1.54 to the average residential customer's monthly bill, but claims its rates are currently 12% below the national average and 31% below the Mid-Atlantic average.