This site features information on Dominion's proposal to build a 500-kilovolt (kV) transmission line, approximately 59.6 miles long, in southeastern Virginia to meet the growing demand for electricity in south Hampton Roads and the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

The transmission line would begin at the Carson Substation in Dinwiddie County and cross portions of Prince George, Sussex, Southampton, and Isle of Wight Counties before entering the City of Suffolk and terminating at the Suffolk Substation. The line needs to be in service by May 2011.

Also proposed is a 230-kV line, approximately 21.5 miles long, in existing right-of-way from Suffolk Substation to Thrasher Substation in the City of Chesapeake. This line also needs to be in service by May 2011.

New 500-230 kV transformers will be added at the Suffolk Substation. The Carson Substation and the Thrasher Substation will require expansions. Dominion plans to expand the Suffolk Substation in another project in 2009, so there will already be space for the addition of transformers included with this project.

Use the links on the left to view project details.

Reliability Issues

Dominion Virginia Power planners have determined that unless additional transmission facilities are built, our customers in this area will experience significant electric service reliability issues early in the next decade. The addition of the two transmission lines are necessary to ensure continued reliable electric service to the homes and businesses in the growing south Hampton Roads area of Virginia and the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Approvals

Approval is required from the Virginia State Corporation Commission prior to the construction of proposed electric transmission facilities. Dominion filed an application on May 4, 2007 with the Virginia State Corporation Commission for permission to build these two transmission lines. Read our news release for details. On May 1, 2008 the Virginia State Corporation Commission issued the Hearing Examiner's Report.