Virginia based US electricity utility Dominion Energy Virginia will be expanding its power generation portfolio by another 500 MW in the form of 9 new solar PV facilities, calling this as its largest slate of new solar projects to date.
Of the 9 new solar projects representing 498 MW capacity, 416 MW will come from 6 facilities contracted through power purchase agreements (PPA) selected after a competitive solicitation process. It enables the utility meet the condition set under the state's Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA) to have close to a 3rd of new solar and onshore wind capacity through 2035 to be procured through PPAs. Under the VCEA, Dominion Energy needs to source all electricity from clean energy sources by 2045 (see 100% Carbon-Free Power For Virginia By 2045).
The remaining 3 projects, all under development currently and subject to approval by the State Corporation Commission, will be owned by Dominion Energy. Of these it acquired the 20 MW Grassfield Solar project in Chesapeake city from Solar Access Development Group, LLC and Blue Green Energy, LLC; 20 MW Norge Solar Project in James City County from Clearway Energy Group; and 42 MW Sycamore Solar Project in Pittsylvania County from a joint venture between Open Road Renewables, LLC and MAP Energy, LLC.
On securing approval from the commission, all these 9 projects will add 'less than $0.20' to the typical residential customer's bill which will eventually be offset in part by fuel savings.
As per the utility's updated forecast under its Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2020, it is targeting 15.9 GW of solar energy capacity by 2035 (see Dominion Energy Issues Call For 1 GW RE).