Dominion Energy announced the acquisition of the Madison Solar generating facility in Orange County, Va., from Cypress Creek Renewables. The energy generated by the project has been contracted to be purchased by Northrop Grumman Corporation, and is expected to provide enough renewable power to the grid to match 100 percent of Northrop’s Virginia manufacturing and office operations’ electricity use. The 62.5-megawatt project has received all applicable state and local permits, and is expected to enter service in the second quarter of 2022. 

With the announced acquisition, Dominion is continuing the expansion of its renewable energy portfolio. Early last month, Dominion announced that it had agreed to sell substantially all of its Gas Transmission & Storage segment assets, valued at nearly $10 billion, as a major step in the company’s refocusing on its state-regulated, sustainability-focused utility operations.

Robert M. Blue, Dominion’s Executive Vice President and Co-Chief Operating Officer, said:

“If we can help our customers – both large and small – add more renewables and provide cleaner electricity, that’s a win for our customers and the Commonwealth of Virginia.”

Dominion stated that it plans to add about 16,000 megawatts of solar generating capacity through company-owned projects and power purchase agreements signed with third-party developers in Virginia over the next 15 years, contributing to the zero carbon goal set out in the state’s Virginia Clean Economy Act. The company also has an interim goal of beginning development on, or signing contracts for 3,000 megawatts of solar and wind generating capacity in Virginia by the beginning of 2022, which it has already met.

Sandra Evers-Manly, Vice President of Global Corporate Responsibility, Northrop Grumman, said:

“Northrop Grumman has a long-standing commitment to environmental sustainability and greenhouse gas emissions reductions. As we look beyond our 2020 goals, this project will play an important role in the next generation of our climate-related commitments.”

Cassidy DeLine, Vice President of Project Finance, Cypress Creek Renewables, said:

“Our mission of powering a sustainable future one project at a time drives us to create valuable partnerships and projects. Our collaboration with Dominion and Northrop Grumman on the Madison project reinforces our commitment to developing solar in the nation’s largest wholesale electricity market, PJM, and delivering long-term benefits for Orange County, Va.”