Dive Brief:
- Dominion Virginia Energy this week announced it is seeking proposals for up to 300 MW of solar and onshore wind generation, and will accept a wide range of structures under which it is provided.
- The company is soliciting bids for energy, capacity and environmental attributes including renewable energy certificates (RECs) for new solar and onshore wind facilities. Proposals may include power purchase agreements and/or the purchase of development projects.
- Projects must range from 10 MW to 150 MW (AC), be located in Virginia and interconnect with the company's transmission or distribution system.
Dive Insight:
Virginia currently has no installed wind capacity, according to Wind Power Monthly, but that could soon change. In addition to Dominion's call for proposals, the state's Department of Environmental Quality authorized Apex Clean Energy's Rocky Forge 75 MW wind energy proposal in March.
Apex says it was the first Permit By rule application approval for a wind energy project in the Virginia. According to REcharge News, Virginia is one of only nine states in the United States without installed wind capacity.
Final proposals are due to Dominion by Dec. 1, and the projects must be online in 2019 or 2020. Companies should file notices of intent to bid by Oct. 27.
Apex's Rocky Forge project will be located in Botetourt County, adjacent to existing transmission lines on private land. The company says it is "early in the development process for Rocky Forge Wind, and there are many steps remaining in the process to complete the project."
Apex is working to develop a project layout, and studies will "continue for several years before construction can begin," meaning it is unclear if this project or one of Dominion's could be the first wind generation in the state.
