Virginia Aims to Increase Renewable Energy Use by 8%

The state of Virginia has announced a significant shift towards renewable energy, with a goal to derive 8% of its electricity from solar power within the next three years. This initiative is part of the Governor's Climate Change and Resiliency Update Commission's report, which includes recommendations to address the impacts of climate change on the Commonwealth. The renewable energy procurement target will facilitate the deployment and offtake of 110MW of solar generation through agreements with Dominion Virginia Power and independent, third-party developers.

Key Takeaways:

• The Commonwealth of Virginia aims to derive 8% of its electricity from solar energy within the next three years, as part of the Governor's Climate Change and Resiliency Update Commission's report.
• The initiative will facilitate the deployment and offtake of 110MW of solar generation through agreements with Dominion Virginia Power and independent, third-party developers.
• The project will be developed through a combination of utility and private, third-party agreements, with installations ranging from small-scale "behind-the-meter" installations to large-scale "solar farms".
• The initiative will help grow jobs in the solar industry, a key sector for growing Virginia's economy, according to Secretary of Commerce and Trade Maurice Jones.
• Attorney General Mark R. Herring stated that the initiative is a priority to promote clean energy, and Virginia state government will help lead the way by adding solar as an energy source.
• The project supports the energy policy strategy laid out in the Governor's Virginia Energy Plan, which prioritizes accelerating the deployment of renewable energy.

Statistics:

• 8%: The percentage of electricity the Commonwealth of Virginia aims to derive from solar energy within the next three years.
• 110MW: The amount of solar generation that will be deployed and offtake through agreements with Dominion Virginia Power and independent, third-party developers.
• 3 years: The deadline for the Commonwealth of Virginia to derive 8% of its electricity from solar energy.
• 15MW: The minimum amount of solar energy the Governor's Virginia Energy Plan aims to build on state property by the end of his administration.

Sources:

• [1] The Office of the Governor of Virginia

+ "Governor McAuliffe Announces Renewable Energy Procurement Target" (February 27, 2023)

• [2] The Richmond Times-Dispatch

+ "Virginia's McAuliffe announces plan to increase renewable energy use" (February 27, 2023)

• [3] Dominion Virginia Power

+ "Dominion Virginia Power Partners with Virginia on Clean Energy Initiative" (February 27, 2023)