Offshore wind energy is a rapidly growing global industry that creates electricity from large wind turbines installed in coastal waters. In the U.S., the federal government has established a target to deploy 30,000 megawatts of offshore wind by 2030. There are now more than a dozen projects in advanced stages of planning along the East Coast. The Commonwealth of Virginia has authorized 5,200 megawatts of offshore wind generation as part of the Virginia Clean Economy Act.  The shallow waters off Hampton Roads already boast the first turbines built in federal waters which began operating in 2020. By 2026, Hampton Roads will be home to Dominion Energy’s Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project (2,640 megawatts) and Avangrid Renewables’ Kitty Hawk Offshore Wind project (2,500 megawatts). 

There are major economic and environmental benefits that offshore wind provides to Virginia, including job growth, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants, and increased energy resilience and security. Recognizing these benefits, the HRPDC along with regional and state partners are working to position Hampton Roads as a hub for East Coast offshore wind development. Our region’s port infrastructure, maritime workforce, and business environment are unmatched on the East Coast in their ability to support the manufacturing, installation, and servicing of offshore wind turbines. Dominion Energy and Siemens Gamesa are the first to take advantage of this by leasing deep-water marine terminals at the Port of Virginia. 

The interactive map shows some of the major components of the burgeoning offshore wind industry, both regionally and along the East Coast. The location of the two existing turbines and lease areas for the projects near Hampton Roads are shown and their proximity to the Port of Virginia are evident. If you zoom out, you will see the locations of the other active offshore wind lease areas on the East Coast.  

Additional maritime information available to view includes shipping zones, military restriction zones, 2020 vessel transit counts, and the location of the Hampton Roads port facilities.

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