Dominion Energy Virginia has presented its 2024 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), outlining strategies to meet future power demand, including adding 12GW of solar PV and 4.5GW of battery storage.
The plan, submitted to the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) and North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC), sets a framework for investment decisions over the next 15 years, although it does not specify individual projects.
Dominion’s proposals prioritize low-carbon energy, with 80% of the new power generation coming from renewable sources such as solar PV, battery storage, 3.4GW of offshore wind, and small modular nuclear reactors expected by the mid-2030s.
The remaining 20% will be met by natural gas, which the company considers crucial for providing backup when renewable sources are not generating.
“We are experiencing the largest growth in power demand since the years following World War II,” said Ed Baine, president of Dominion Energy Virginia. “No single energy source, grid solution or energy efficiency programme will reliably serve the growing needs of our customers.
“We need an ‘all-of-the-above’ approach, and we are developing innovative solutions to ensure we deliver for our customers.”
Alongside the IRP, Dominion has filed proposals with the SCC for 1GW of new solar PV projects in Virginia. If approved, this would bring Dominion’s total solar PV capacity under development in the state to over 5.75GW.
The company is aiming to address rising energy needs through a combination of renewable energy projects and essential backup sources like natural gas.
The IRP underscores Dominion’s commitment to expanding its renewable energy portfolio while maintaining reliability through a diversified energy mix.
