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Dominion Energy projects in Richmond County near completion but await federal interconnection approval
Summary
Dominion Energy told the board that mechanical completion and substation energization are complete at multiple solar sites; commercial generation is delayed pending final GIA/FERC approvals and remaining civil work such as basin conversions.
Dominion Energy project staff gave the Richmond County Board of Supervisors an update on three large solar projects in the county, reporting that most major construction is finished but commercial operation is awaiting final regulatory approvals.
Representatives said mechanical completion has been achieved at Cerillion and Moon Corner, and Booker’s Mill entered commercial operations in December 2024. Substations and gen-tie lines have been energized at several sites, and the developer reported that the generator interconnection agreement (GIA) has cleared the regional grid operator and is now pending final Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approval. Once that final step is granted, the sites can begin exporting power.
Construction items still being closed out include basin conversions, perimeter stabilization, removal of temporary erosion controls, and remediation of laydown yards. Dominion staff said they have converted thousands of temporary basins to permanent basins at multiple fields and are stabilizing access roads and seeding perimeter areas. They also noted cooperation with the county on entrance inspections, road-surface remediation and outstanding land-use permit items.
Project timelines have slid modestly; Dominion estimated that turnover to commercial operations has moved into third-quarter 2026 for the sites that remain awaiting FERC/GIA clearance. Board members pressed for timely road and entrance remediation and said they will monitor inspections and permit closeout activities.
The company highlighted an environmental stewardship example where contractor staff contained and reported a diesel drip near a pond, notifying the county and arranging cleanup the same day.
Dominion’s presentation included aerial imagery of fields and a description of stabilization, silt-fence removal, and landscaping buffers being installed; county staff said they expected permit closeout activity to continue over the coming year.
