Dominion Virginia Power seeks to build 56 MW of new solar projects
Dominion Virginia Power has announced plans to develop 56 megawatts (MW) of large-scale solar facilities that would begin producing renewable energy by December of 2016.
The company filed with the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) for certificates of public convenience and necessity for three separate solar projects that would be located in Powhatan, Louisa and Isle of Wight counties.
David A. Christian, chief executive officer for Dominion Generation, stated:
"These three projects represent the next step in Dominion's commitment to build 400 megawatts of large-scale solar by 2020. Combined with our proposed solar facility near Remington, we are expecting to build 76 megawatts of solar in 2016 as we continue moving forward to put more renewable energy on the grid for our customers."
The total cost of the three projects is expected to be about US$129.5 million, excluding financing costs. The company is requesting that it be allowed to begin recovering the cost of the projects through a rate adjustment clause (RAC) or "rider" that would add 7 cents to the average residential bill of $113.24. If approved the rider would take effect Dec. 1, 2016.
The three projects are:
- Scott Solar: Dominion intends to purchase this project from Virginia Solar. The solar facility will produce about 17 megawatts of electricity. It would be located on 165 acres of land in Powhatan County.
- Whitehouse Solar: This solar project would generate about 20 MW and would be located in Louisa County. It will be built on a 250-acre site.
- Woodland Solar: Dominion intends to purchase this project from Coronal Development Services. The solar facility will produce approximately 19 MW of electricity. It will be located in Isle of Wight County. The project will be constructed on approximately 200 acres.
