Dominion Energy's first US-made offshore wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV), Charybdis, has commenced sea trials off the coast of Brownsville, Texas. The vessel, which is contracted for Dominion Energy's 2.6GW Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project, is expected to be ready for installation work during this year's construction schedule.
The vessel is a key part of the CVOW project, which is set to begin turbine installation in the spring of 2025. “Once sea trials are complete in the early part of this year, Charybdis will proceed with sea fastener installation, and is expected to deliver to the CVOW project in the third quarter of 2025,” Dominion Energy said in a statement.
Charybdis will be the first WTIV fully compliant with the Jones Act, a US law that mandates vessels moving cargo between US ports must be US-built and US-owned. This milestone marks a significant step for the US offshore wind industry, with the vessel designed to support the growing demand for offshore wind installation in the country.
The start of sea trials comes as the US offshore wind sector prepares for an increase in installation projects, particularly with the development of large-scale offshore wind farms such as CVOW. The Charybdis is expected to play a critical role in the nation's offshore wind energy growth.
