Dominion Virginia Power is committed to providing safe and reliable power to our customers. This sometimes requires the construction of additional electric facilities. In the Ashburn area of Loudoun County, new development is increasing electrical demand. This area is currently served by substations and distribution circuits. Our existing Beaumeade substation is fully utilized and requires additional facilities and the Ashburn area requires an additional substation to meet the growing demand for power.
Project Description
Dominion plans to expand and add additional facilities to the Beaumeade substation located off Smith Switch Road near the W&OD Trail.
Dominion proposes to install a 230 kV double circuit underground line, approximately 2700 feet (0.5 mile±) long, from the existing Beaumeade substation to a new substation (NIVO) located near the intersection of Smith Switch Road and Chilum Place. This project will be submitted for approval as a qualifying pilot project under House Bill 1319.
The new NIVO substation will be located at the DuPont Fabros Ashburn Corporate Center and serve the increase in electrical load due to construction of new data center facilities.
SCC Application
The Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) has regulatory authority over the need for the project, the route, and the environmental impact of electric transmission lines in Virginia. Typically, the SCC holds public hearings in the area, where anyone may address the SCC. If the findings of the SCC uphold the need for the line and route, the company is then required to comply with all applicable environmental state and federal laws.