On March 12, the SCC issued a final order acknowledging and approving Dominion Energy’s 2017 Integrated Resource Plan. In this plan, Dominion acknowledged that future regulation of power emissions will require it to address carbon and carbon emissions beyond what is required today. Dominion’s IRP covers a 25-year study period beginning in 2018 and extending to 2042 and anticipates annual increases of 1.3% in both future peak and energy requirements over this period. The Plan details eight different alternative plans that are designed to meet customer needs in the future without or without the EPA Clean Power Plan. Each alternative plan includes (all MW values below indicate nameplate capacity):
- At least 5,200 MW of new solar generation within the 2018-2042 study period, with at least 3,200 MW of new solar capacity being added by the end of the planning period (2032);
- 12 MW of generation from the Virginia Offshore Wind Technology Advancement Project (as early as 2021);
- 990 MW of VA and NC solar generation from non-utility generators currently or expected to be under long-term contracts; and
- 7.7 MW of Solar Partnership Program capacity. Under this program, Dominion installs rooftop PV on customers’ premises.
All alternative plans that would comply with the CPP include the retirement of a 790 MW oil-fired generation facility and 261 MW of coal-fired generation in 2022. Additional coal-fired generator retirements are also possible in 2025 under some plans. The Plan also notes the need for Dominion to modernize both its distribution and transmission systems such that they are able to respond to increased levels of utility-scale solar generation and customer-sited DERs.