The Virginia Port Authority has selected Skanska for a $223 million offshore wind project in Portsmouth, Virginia.
The U.S. arm of the Sweden-based builder will redevelop approximately 72 acres of the Portsmouth Marine Terminal, located on the west bank of the Elizabeth River near Norfolk, Virginia, for use as an offshore wind staging port. The entire terminal is 287 acres.
Skanska’s project will include improving 1,500 feet of an existing 3,540-foot wharf, according to a company announcement.
The redevelopment is part of the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project, the largest energy project of its kind in the U.S. The CVOW’s pilot project, completed in October 2020, encompassed two wind turbines 27 miles off the coast of Virginia Beach that generate 6 megawatts each. It was the first offshore wind farm installed in federal waters.
The commercial project phase, underway now, will consist of 176 wind turbines that will generate 2.6 gigawatts when finished in 2026, according to project owner Dominion Energy.
Skanska’s work on the project will include:
- Building a wind turbine generator delivery berth, a wind turbine generator loud-out berth and a berth for steel tube monopiles.
- Dredging a channel and access area to support a mooring configuration.
- Strengthening soils and surface in the upland areas to accommodate surface loadings from cranes, transporters and transition piece components.
- Installing high-mast lighting, stormwater collection systems and perimeter fencing.
Skanska previously completed two projects for the Virginia Port Authority: part 2 of the expansion of Norfolk International Terminal’s north wharf expansion and phase 1 of NIT South’s Renovation.
