The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has completed its environmental analysis of the 2.6GW Coastal Virginia offshore wind (CVOW) project, to be located off the Virginia Beach coast.

The final environmental impact statement reflects feedback from Tribal Nations, ocean users, local communities, the offshore wind industry and other stakeholders. It analyses the potential environmental impacts and mitigation measures associated with the wind farm’s construction.

This report will reflect public comments along with studies, assessments and designs to optimise the wind farm’s environmental merits. It will look into measures adopted to minimise its impacts on marine life, and to design and build transmission routes to avoid impacts on resources.

As one of the largest offshore wind farms being developed in the US, the Coastal Virginia project is expected to generate clean power for 660,000 households while bringing $3bn in fuel savings for customers during its initial ten years of operation.

Dominion Energy plans to include 176 turbines, each with 14.7MW of power generating capacity, and three offshore substations.

They will all be located on a 112,800-acre commercial lease area, 27 miles (43.4km) from the coast.

Dominion Energy chair, president and CEO Bob Blue stated: “The completion of CVOW's environmental review is another significant milestone to keep the project on time and on budget. Regulated offshore wind has many benefits for our customers and local economies – it is fuel-free, emissions-free and diversifies our fuel mix to maintain the reliability of the grid.

“Today's announcement reinforces the confidence that the company, our vendors and our suppliers have in our project's completion, providing further motivation to maintain focus on delivering on time and on budget, knowing we and our government partners continue to meet critical milestones.”