The first production wind turbine for the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project was installed Jan. 27, less than two weeks after developer Dominion Energy won a temporary injunction against the Trump administration’s stop-work order.
Dominion’s 472’x184’ wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV) Charybdis, built at Seatrium’s AmFELS shipyard in Brownsville, Texas, is the first Jones Act-compliant WTIV under the U.S. flag. After the project is about 71% completed and is expected to be sending power to the regional grid in the first quarter of 2026, according to Dominion.
In a Jan. 30 update Dominion reported that all 176 monopiles have been installed on the lease for the 2.6-gigawatt rated project, along with as 119 transition and 57 awaiting installation.
The company says noted 126 turbine towers and 121 nacelles for 14.7 MW Gamesa wind generators have been fabricated, with 54 towers and 30 nacelles delivered to the Portsmouth, Va., Marine Terminal.
“The completion of the first 14.7 MW wind turbine generator brings to fruition Dominion Energy’s ambitious plan to build and operate the first Jones Act qualified WTIV,” the American Maritime Officers union said in a statement recognizing the step. “AMO officers remain on the leading edge of this trade onboard the first WTIV operating under the U.S. flag.”
“Charybdis will continue installation of the balance of the 175 remaining turbines in the CVOW field 27 nautical miles off the coast of Virginia Beach,” according to AMO. “When completed, CVOW will provide 2.6 gigawatts of power, enough for 660,000 homes.”
