Second Turbine Up at Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Project

Jan De Nul’s jack-up vessel Vole au vent has installed the second and final turbine at the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) pilot project in the U.S.

The two Siemens Gamesa SWT-6.0-154 units, which are the first wind turbines installed in U.S. federal waters, will now undergo acceptance testing before being energized later this summer.

According to AIS data, Vole au vent is currently en route to the Port of Halifax, Canada.

“We are immensely proud of the work our teams and suppliers were able to complete under unprecedented circumstances,” said Thomas Brostrøm, CEO of Ørsted North America Offshore. “These two turbines are another monumental step for offshore wind in the U.S. The future remains bright for this new American industry.” 

The 12 MW CVOW demonstration project, located some 43km off the coast of Virginia Beach, is being developed jointly by Ørsted and Dominion Energy.

It is expected to provide the operational, weather, and environmental experience needed for the 2.6 GW development in the adjacent 112,800-hectare lease site, expected to be operational by 2026.

The article was updated on 29 June at 3:15 p.m.