The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) and Dominion Energy have celebrated the groundbreaking of the Dulles Solar and Storage project at Dulles International Airport (IAD).
This undertaking will construct the largest renewable energy project at any US airport.
The site will generate up to 100MW of solar energy and store up to 50MW of power, which is enough to provide clean energy to more than 37,000 Virginia homes at peak output.
This project received final approval earlier this year following a multi-year review by the US Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration and Virginia State Corporation Commission.
Jack Potter, president and CEO of MWAA said:This partnership will result in the largest renewable energy project ever developed at a US airport. It's just one of many ways the Airports Authority is constantly working to be a good steward of the environment. We look forward to working with Dominion Energy to help provide emission-free electricity to serve the growing energy needs of the Dulles community and the National Capital Region.
The new site will be developed across 835 acres in the southwest corner of Dulles International Airport.
Full construction work will begin in late 2023 and is expected to be complete by the end of 2026.
Senator Mark Warner said:This groundbreaking marks the beginning of a historic achievement – a first-of-its-kind renewable energy project at a major US airport. I’m hopeful this partnership will serve as a model for future renewable energy projects across the country, paving the way for a greener, energy-independent future. With additional federal investments in clean energy made possible by the bipartisan infrastructure law and the Inflation Reduction Act, I’m confident that Virginia will continue to lead the way in innovative clean energy production.
