The Virginia Offshore Wind Development Authority (VOWDA) supports the efforts by the Virginia Department of Energy (Virginia Energy), the Federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Dominion Energy, Avangrid Renewables, and other stakeholders to help accelerate offshore wind development projects in Virginia, address environmental and financial issues, and create port and supply chain economic opportunities.

VOWDA’s 2023 Annual Report addresses the activities VOWDA has undertaken since its 2022 Annual Report. This report represents a high-level overview the meetings of the full VOWDA membership, as well as those of several subgroups, which were formed to help inform and execute VOWDA’s 2023 Work Plan and to provide informed recommendations based on input from subject matter experts.

This year, members began researching several topics, including:

• Electrical off-taker research and recommendations

• How to best leverage the Commonwealth’s ocean planning efforts

• Research and recommendations on OSW workforce training and preparedness

• R&D needs and recommendations

Based on activities and accomplishments in 2022-2023, the Authority makes the following recommendations for 2023-2024 to further advance offshore wind development and related supply chain activities in Virginia. The recommendations are ranked in order of priority.

RECOMMENDATIONS

RECOMMENDATION 1: Continue to support the current CVOW Commercial and Kitty Hawk projects, and other future projects, through public meetings, comments on BOEM documents and reports, facilitate resolution of potential use conflicts with all stakeholders, and work toward meeting the offshore wind goals enumerated in the Code of Virginia in a responsible manner.

RECOMMENDATION 2: Continue to work with all stakeholders to create a regional supply chain and workforce for the CVOW Commercial, Kitty Hawk Offshore, and future offshore wind projects. Collaborate with stakeholders, including Dominion Energy, Avangrid Renewables, other East Coast Developers, Siemens Gamesa, Virginia Economic Development Partnership, universities, the Virginia Port Authority, the Virginia Maritime Association, Virginia and European manufacturers, and others to promote Virginia companies as part of the supply chain for offshore wind.

RECOMMENDATION 3: Actively solicit research and development opportunities and activities to reduce the cost and risk of developing wind resources and the supply chain, including leveraging the CVOW project and other uses of the Virginia Energy Research Lease in conformance with existing agreements. Work with Virginia colleges and research universities to create a platform to promote the benefits of using other areas adjacent to the Research Lease for important wind research, e.g., impacts of hurricanes, and impacts on marine life and commercial fishing.

RECOMMENDATION 4: Continue to work to identify and resolve barriers and find pathways to enable power off takers in the Commonwealth with clean energy commitments.

RECOMMENDATION 5: Continue to support and further define the tri-state SMART-POWER MOU between VA, NC and MD to support workforce development and job creation in the Mid-Atlantic region, bring clean energy to the tri-state electric grid, and bring benefits to the disadvantaged coastal communities.

RECOMMENDATION 6: Promote the continued refinement and deconfliction of BOEM’s Central Atlantic Lease Areas off the East Coast in consultation with the Department of the Interior and all interested Virginia stakeholders.

As required by § 45.2-1808 of the Code of Virginia, the Authority submits this 11th annual report to the Governor and the Chairpersons of the House Appropriations Committee, the Senate Finance Committee and the House and Senate Commerce and Labor Committees.