CHESAPEAKE — Dominion Energy is awaiting approval from the state for a project that would replace 14 miles of transmission lines connecting the Yadkin and Fentress substations in Chesapeake by 2026.
For several months, Dominion Energy has been planning and gathering feedback from customers and nearby residents. The replacement of the decades-old infrastructure is also necessary to deliver the renewable energy generated by the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project — a planned 176-turbine, $9.8 billion project expected to provide enough energy to power up to 660,000 homes once completed by the end of 2026.
The project includes the construction of two new 500-kilovolt lines. The current weathering steel lattice structures measuring about 115 feet tall would be replaced with single-circuit monopoles that are 65 feet higher. It’s estimated to cost a total of $202 million, according to the application filed with the Virginia State Corporation Commission.
Since April, Dominion has received feedback from customers both in person and from surveys. In June, the utility filed an application to the State Corporation Commission seeking approval, which is expected by early next year, according to Janae Johnson, a spokesperson for Dominion who recently briefed Chesapeake City Council on the project.
If uncontested, approval could be given within eight months. Once approved, construction would be done in two phases beginning next spring. It’s estimated completion will be the end of 2026. The first phase would replace the line from the Yadkin substation to the middle of the transmission line, and the second phase would complete that route to the Fentress substation.
Johnson told council members that, since the project still awaits final SCC approval, it’s not yet known whether it’ll be Dominion employees carrying out the project or subcontractors.
Dominion recently paid Virginia Beach $19 million for about 4 miles of city easements to transmit energy from offshore. Roughly 38 acres of tree canopy in Virginia Beach will be razed to make way for the power lines. Some of the money will be used to replace trees, according to the city.
Dominion’s application states the existing right-of-way and company property provides adaquate room for the Chesapeake project.
Natalie Anderson, 757-732-1133, natalie.anderson@virginiamedia.com
