NORFOLK, Virginia – (June 29, 2023) The Hampton Roads Alliance is pleased to share that Fairwinds Landing, LLC broke ground today on an offshore wind Monitoring and Coordination Center (MCC) at its 111-acre port terminal in Norfolk. The construction of the MCC represents Phase 1 of a multi-phase redevelopment to transform the former Lamberts Point Docks into a world-class marine logistics center. Fairwinds Landing will provide the revitalized port infrastructure needed to support growth in three of the industrial pillars of the Hampton Roads’ economy – offshore wind, shipbuilding, and intermodal transportation.
Initially, the MCC will encompass 7.5 acres of land with deep-water access to the Elizabeth River. The Miller Group, the developer of Fairwinds Landing, will construct a purpose-built 31,167-square foot operations and maintenance center, where personnel can continuously monitor maritime activities, analyze asset performance, provide strategic planning, and ensure regulatory compliance. The MCC also will include a 17,280-square-foot warehouse to store spare parts and 950 linear feet of pier frontage to berth offshore wind project support and crew vessels. Balicore Construction is the general contractor for the project. The Miller Group and Balicore Construction are both based in Virginia Beach. The MCC project is expected to generate more than 200 local construction and engineering jobs.
When construction is completed in 2025, Dominion Energy will utilize the MCC as its homeport for operations and maintenance activities supporting its Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) commercial project off the coast of Virginia Beach. The MCC will host more than 45 shore-based personnel plus 60 vessel-based personnel who will be deployed to the CVOW project at any given time.
“Fairwinds Landing’s work to develop the Monitoring and Coordination Center is an important step in the development of the offshore wind supply chain in Virginia, and as its first tenant, supports our planned CVOW operations base in Hampton Roads,” said Joshua Bennett, Dominion Energy Vice President of Offshore Wind.
“Fairwinds Landing is proud to be the homeport for Dominion Energy’s operations and maintenance activities for their CVOW project,” said Jerry Miller, CEO of Fairwinds Landing. “The MCC development is integral to our strategic plan to transform the Fairwinds facility into a world-class marine logistics center. Robust port infrastructure is critical to the emerging offshore wind industry in the United States and will be a catalyst for economic growth in Hampton Roads.”
“Norfolk is delighted with the region’s continued development as an offshore wind industry hub, led by home-grown firms like Fairwinds Landing, and is proud to serve as the location for the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind operations and maintenance base,” said Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander. “The creation of more skilled-trade jobs that directly support renewable energy will bolster our local workforce while supporting the offshore wind industry’s efforts for a sustainable future.”
“Fairwinds Landing’s construction of the Monitoring and Coordination Center marks the first step in redeveloping Fairwinds Landing into a nationally significant marine industrial center to support the offshore wind industry as a whole,” said Doug Smith, Hampton Roads Alliance President and CEO. “This pivotal movement builds momentum in establishing our region as a central hub of the U.S. offshore wind industry. Furthermore, it signifies our commitment to sustainable energy solutions and promises economic growth and job creation for all of Hampton Roads.”
The Hampton Roads Alliance is proud to have worked in partnership with Fairwinds Landing, the City of Norfolk and Dominion Energy on this exciting project and monumental step towards making the Hampton Roads region a hub for the U.S. offshore wind industry.
About Fairwinds Landing, LLC
Fairwinds Landing, LLC is a new Virginia limited liability company established to develop and operate Lambert’s Point Docks. A Hampton Roads-based company, Fairwinds Landing will leverage the resources and experience of local affiliated companies such as The Miller Group, Balicore Construction, and Fairlead.
