US utility Dominion Energy has secured the last two federal approvals needed to begin construction of the 2.6GW CVOW project.

The approvals were given by the US BOEM and the US Army Corps of Engineers.

The BOEM has granted its final approval for the project's construction and operations plan, which permits offshore construction activities.

The US Army Corps of Engineers has issued a permit for the associated impacts to US waters, including the electric transmission line's route.

Dominion Energy chair, president and CEO Bob Blue stated: “Virginia is leading the way for offshore wind as we near the start of offshore construction for CVOW.

“These regulatory approvals keep CVOW on time and on budget as we focus on our mission of providing customers with reliable, affordable and increasingly clean energy.”

The CVOW project is one of the largest offshore wind projects in the US and will be powered by 176 turbines. Other infrastructure will include three offshore substations, undersea cables and new onshore transmission assets.

It will occupy a 113,000-acre lease area, 27 miles (43km) offshore Virginia Beach.

Export cable and monopile foundation installation will commence in the second quarter of 2024.

From late 2026, CVOW will generate sufficient renewable energy to power 660,000 homes.

Senator Mark Warner, Senator Tim Kaine and Representative Bobby Scott said in a joint statement: “In an important step forward, we are thrilled to see the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project receive two major approvals that will place the nation's largest offshore wind farm right off the coast of Virginia.”

Onshore construction activities on the project began in November 2023 after securing BOEM's positive Record of Decision. With the latest approvals, these activities are expected to accelerate.