USA, Virginia, Cumberland County: Dominion Energy is planning a major expansion of its generation portfolio in Virginia with a proposed 3,000 MW (3 GW) combined cycle natural gas plant in Cumberland County. The project is now entering the permitting stage with state and local regulators.
If approved, the facility is expected to come online in 2033 or 2034 and would be the largest gas-fired plant in Dominion’s Virginia fleet. It would also be capable of supplying electricity for up to 750,000 homes and delivering continuous baseload power.
The site is planned for around 365 ha (900 acres) on Duncan Store Road in northern Cumberland County, close to the James River. Before construction can begin, approvals will be required from the county through a conditional use permit, the State Corporation Commission, and the Department of Environmental Quality for air permits.
The approval process is expected to take about two years, with construction planned to begin in 2029. Public consultations are also expected as part of the review.
Dominion says the project is needed to meet rapidly rising electricity demand in Virginia, with forecasts suggesting demand could more than double by 2045. The utility also expects to develop several additional gas plants alongside renewable energy sources over the next two decades.
The plant will use combined cycle technology with hydrogen-ready gas turbines, allowing for possible future fuel switching if hydrogen becomes commercially viable.
Dominion estimates the project will cost several billion dollars, exceeding the $1.47 B Chesterfield Energy Reliability Center. The company also expects around 450 jobs during construction and operation, along with significant long-term tax revenue for the region.
Source: Virginia Mercury
