Dominion Energy’s 2.6GW offshore wind array on track with Prysmian cable layer
On-time launch of Monna Lisa latest advance for US’ largest project but litigation could cloud its future amid Trump sector venom
The vessel is loading two more of CVOW’s eventual nine 220kV HVAC [high voltage alternating current] export cables at Prysmian’s Arco Felice plant in Italy. Prysmian completed installation of its first export cable last September.
The $10.6bn CVOW is an outlier in the US industry for remaining on track with its original contract and with only a 9% price tag bump, despite inflationary headwinds that raised sector costs up to 50% over the past three years.
Despite its progress, litigation turbocharged by President Donald Trump’s anti-wind stance could imperil CVOW’s future, with federal regulators in several instances signalling they are willing to side with plaintiffs.
Trump risk
Trump’s executive order (EO) issued 20 January banned new offshore wind leasing and permitting and put approved projects under review with an eye for termination or amendment.
In legal challenges, it also empowered the Department of Justice (DoJ) to “request that the court stay the litigation or otherwise delay further litigation, or seek other appropriate relief” consistent with the President's order.
CVOW faces a lawsuit filed by conservative think tanks Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow and the Heartland Institute challenging its approval.
While Empire had not gone into at-sea installation, Equinor had already drawn some $1.5bn on $3bn in project financing for onshore construction, including renovation of the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal into a marshalling and operations and maintenance hub.
DoJ will file a new motion in the case on Wednesday.
Dominion CEO Bob Blue remained confident the project will proceed to commercial operations by late 2026.
On a recent earnings call, he noted that Dominion’s service territory includes the world’s largest concentration of data centres in Northern Virginia where AI-driven power demand is set to skyrocket.
CVOW “helps promote American energy dominance” and is “critical to continuing US superiority in AI and technology.”
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