# Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center

PJM Conventional Steam Coal · https://askthegrid.com/assets/facilities/virginia-city-hybrid-energy-center

Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center is a coal-fired power facility with 668 MW of EIA-reported nameplate capacity in Wise County, Virginia, registered as EIA Plant ID 56808. Virginia Electric and Power Company, d/b/a Dominion Virginia Power is the public owner or developer; Virginia Electric & Power Co is the registered plant entity or operator. The project also uses one of the industry’s largest air-cooled condenser systems to reduce water use and was designed to support regional waste-coal reclamation. Commercial operation began on July 10, 2012.

## Key facts

- Technology: Conventional Steam Coal
- Power capacity: 668 MW
- Operating status: operating
- Retirement: 2045

## Grid and market context

- ISO/RTO: PJM
- Balancing authority: PJM Interconnection (PJM)

## Source-backed facts

- Owner logo domain: dominionenergy.com — VCHEC | Dominion Energy · confidence: medium
- Identifiers: [{"value":"56808","system":"EIA plant code"},{"value":"PJM Interconnection (PJM)","system":"ISO/RTO / balancing authority"},{"value":"PJM","system":"Market region"}] — EIA - MBR | Index - Federal Energy Regulatory Commission · confidence: medium
- Official project url: http://www.dominionenergy.com/en/About/Making-Energy/Power-Stations/VCHEC — VCHEC | Dominion Energy · confidence: high
- Description: Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center is a coal, coal-refuse, and biofuel-fired power station in St. Paul, Wise County, Virginia. The plant has 668 MW of nameplate capacity and one generating unit, and operates in the PJM market. It has been in operation since 2012 and uses circulating fluidized-bed boiler technology. — VCHEC | Dominion Energy · confidence: medium
- Canonical name: Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center — VCHEC | Dominion Energy · confidence: high
- Identifiers.0: {"value":"56808","system":"EIA plant code"} — EIA - MBR | Index - Federal Energy Regulatory Commission · confidence: high
- Parties.1: {"relationship":"EPC contractor","name":"The Shaw Group, now CB&I","official_url":null} — ‘Best’ Coal-Fired Power Plant and Cogeneration Case Studies · confidence: medium
- Parties.2: {"relationship":"Boiler OEM","name":"Foster Wheeler","official_url":null} — ‘Best’ Coal-Fired Power Plant and Cogeneration Case Studies · confidence: medium
- Parties.3: {"relationship":"Steam turbine supplier","name":"Toshiba","official_url":null} — ‘Best’ Coal-Fired Power Plant and Cogeneration Case Studies · confidence: medium
- Site acres: 1700 — Curley Hollow CCR Rule Closure Plan · confidence: medium
- Unit configuration: One conventional steam-coal generating unit using circulating fluidized-bed boiler technology and burning coal, waste coal/coal refuse, and biomass. — Source · confidence: medium
- Commercial operation date: 2012-07-10 — Source · confidence: medium
- Kind: thermal — Source · confidence: high
- Quality notes: ["Capacity figures use different conventions: EIA reports 668 MW of nameplate capacity, Dominion reports output of up to 610 MW, and project literature describes the plant as approximately 585–600 MW depending on the metric.","They identify Virginia Power/Dominion as the applicant, developer, owner, and operator from project approval through operation.","The $1.8 billion figure is a projected construction cost, not a sale price or standalone project-finance principal. Separately disclosed financing included a $60 million 2009 borrowing connected with Wise County industrial-development-authority bonds, while Rider S recovered construction-related financing costs through regulated rates.","No completed expansion or repowering was identified. A 2022 viability analysis considered retirement scenarios before 2045 and alternative site uses, while Dominion reported a path for economic operation through at least 2045.","Project-contractor records identify WL Construction for final grading and paving, while one later equipment-provider table labels the party WL Foundation; the role should therefore be treated as reported contractor information rather than a fully reconciled corporate identity."] — Dominion wants Wise County coal plant to stay as is • Virginia Mercury · confidence: medium
- Quality notes: ["Capacity figures use different conventions: EIA reports 668 MW of nameplate capacity, Dominion reports output of up to 610 MW, and project literature describes the plant as approximately 585–600 MW depending on the metric.","They identify Virginia Power/Dominion as the applicant, developer, owner, and operator from project approval through operation.","The $1.8 billion figure is a projected construction cost, not a sale price or standalone project-finance principal. Separately disclosed financing included a $60 million 2009 borrowing connected with Wise County industrial-development-authority bonds, while Rider S recovered construction-related financing costs through regulated rates.","No completed expansion or repowering was identified. A 2022 viability analysis considered retirement scenarios before 2045 and alternative site uses, while Dominion reported a path for economic operation through at least 2045.","Project-contractor records identify WL Construction for final grading and paving, while one later equipment-provider table labels the party WL Foundation; the role should therefore be treated as reported contractor information rather than a fully reconciled corporate identity."] — VCHEC | Dominion Energy · confidence: medium
- Commercial parties.1: {"relationship":"Engineering, procurement, and construction contractor","name":"The Shaw Group Inc., now CB&I","detail":"Dominion awarded Shaw the EPC contract in February 2007. CB&I completed its corporate acquisition of Shaw in February 2013.","official_url":"https://www.cbi.com/"} — TOP PLANT: Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center, Virginia City, Virginia · confidence: high
- Commercial parties.1: {"relationship":"Engineering, procurement, and construction contractor","name":"The Shaw Group Inc., now CB&I","detail":"Dominion awarded Shaw the EPC contract in February 2007. CB&I completed its corporate acquisition of Shaw in February 2013.","official_url":"https://www.cbi.com/"} — The Shaw Group | Home · confidence: high
- Commercial parties.2: {"relationship":"Boiler OEM","name":"Foster Wheeler","detail":"Supplier of the two fuel-flexible circulating-fluidized-bed boilers. Foster Wheeler’s legacy boiler business is now supported within Wood’s boiler-services organization.","official_url":"https://www.woodgroup.com/"} — ‘Best’ Coal-Fired Power Plant and Cogeneration Case Studies · confidence: high
- Commercial parties.2: {"relationship":"Boiler OEM","name":"Foster Wheeler","detail":"Supplier of the two fuel-flexible circulating-fluidized-bed boilers. Foster Wheeler’s legacy boiler business is now supported within Wood’s boiler-services organization.","official_url":"https://www.woodgroup.com/"} — Boiler parts and services · confidence: high
- Commercial parties.3: {"relationship":"Steam turbine supplier","name":"Toshiba","detail":"Supplier of the plant’s single steam turbine-generator.","official_url":"https://toshiba.com/taes/products/steam-turbine-generator/"} — ‘Best’ Coal-Fired Power Plant and Cogeneration Case Studies · confidence: high
- Commercial parties.3: {"relationship":"Steam turbine supplier","name":"Toshiba","detail":"Supplier of the plant’s single steam turbine-generator.","official_url":"https://toshiba.com/taes/products/steam-turbine-generator/"} — Steam Turbine Generators | TAES · confidence: high
- Commercial parties.4: {"relationship":"Material-handling systems contractor","name":"Crowder Construction Co.","detail":"Provided material-handling systems for fly ash, bed ash, coal, limestone, and wood waste.","official_url":"https://www.crowderusa.com/"} — Source · confidence: high
- Commercial parties.4: {"relationship":"Material-handling systems contractor","name":"Crowder Construction Co.","detail":"Provided material-handling systems for fly ash, bed ash, coal, limestone, and wood waste.","official_url":"https://www.crowderusa.com/"} — EPC Material Handling Installation · confidence: high
- Commercial parties.5: {"relationship":"Chimney-stack contractor","name":"Karrena International","detail":"Provided the chimney stack work for the facility.","official_url":"https://www.karrena-usa.com/"} — Source · confidence: medium
- Commercial parties.5: {"relationship":"Chimney-stack contractor","name":"Karrena International","detail":"Provided the chimney stack work for the facility.","official_url":"https://www.karrena-usa.com/"} — Karrena USA - Home · confidence: medium
- Commercial parties.6: {"relationship":"Drilled-caissons contractor","name":"Case Foundation Co.","detail":"Provided drilled caissons. A current official corporate website for the project-era Case Foundation Co. was not verified.","official_url":null} — Source · confidence: medium
- Commercial parties.6: {"relationship":"Drilled-caissons contractor","name":"Case Foundation Co.","detail":"Provided drilled caissons. A current official corporate website for the project-era Case Foundation Co. was not verified.","official_url":null} — Case Foundation, a Keller company · confidence: medium
- Commercial parties.7: {"relationship":"Final grading and paving contractor","name":"WL Construction","detail":"Identified in project-contractor records as responsible for final grading and paving.","official_url":"https://www.wl-construction.com/"} — Source · confidence: medium
- Commercial parties.7: {"relationship":"Final grading and paving contractor","name":"WL Construction","detail":"Identified in project-contractor records as responsible for final grading and paving.","official_url":"https://www.wl-construction.com/"} — Home Remodeling Contractor in Corvallis, OR | W.L.... · confidence: medium
- Timeline.3: {"event":"Final air permit and full notice to proceed","date":"2008-06-30","detail":"The final air permit was approved, triggering full notice to proceed and construction mobilization."} — TOP PLANT: Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center, Virginia City, Virginia · confidence: high
- Timeline.4: {"event":"CFB boiler erection began","date":"2009-04","detail":"Erection of the circulating-fluidized-bed boilers began."} — TOP PLANT: Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center, Virginia City, Virginia · confidence: high
- Timeline.6: {"event":"Steam turbine erection began","date":"2010-02","detail":"Erection of the steam turbine began, following the boiler erection work."} — TOP PLANT: Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center, Virginia City, Virginia · confidence: high
- Timeline.7: {"event":"First boiler fire","date":"2011-11","detail":"Boiler first fire was completed during commissioning."} — TOP PLANT: Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center, Virginia City, Virginia · confidence: high
- Timeline.8: {"event":"First synchronization","date":"2012-03-07","detail":"The plant achieved first synchronization with the grid."} — TOP PLANT: Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center, Virginia City, Virginia · confidence: high
- Timeline.10: {"event":"EPC contractor corporate succession","date":"2013-02-14","detail":"CB&I completed its acquisition of The Shaw Group for approximately $3 billion. This was a corporate transaction involving the EPC contractor, not a sale of Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center."} — CB&I completes acquisition of The Shaw Group · confidence: high
- Timeline.11: {"event":"Waste-coal reclamation milestone","date":"2020-07","detail":"Dominion reported nine completed waste-coal reclamation projects and more than 4 million tons of gob reclaimed since the plant began operating in 2012."} — VCHEC | Dominion Energy · confidence: high
- Timeline.12: {"event":"Retirement and alternative-use analysis","date":"2022-11","detail":"A Dominion viability report considered retirement before 2045 and alternatives including renewable generation and storage; Dominion reported that the facility was economically viable under then-current conditions and had a path to operation through at least 2045."} — Dominion wants Wise County coal plant to stay as is • Virginia Mercury · confidence: medium
- Operating status: operating — VCHEC | Dominion Energy · confidence: medium

## Timeline

- 2007-02 — EPC contract awarded
  Dominion awarded the engineering, procurement, and construction contract to The Shaw Group Inc.
  Source: TOP PLANT: Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center, Virginia City, Virginia (https://www.powermag.com/topplantvirginia-city-hybrid-energy-center-virginia-city-virginia/)
- 2008-06-30 — Final air permit and full notice to proceed
  The final air permit was approved, triggering full notice to proceed and construction mobilization.
  Source: TOP PLANT: Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center, Virginia City, Virginia (https://www.powermag.com/topplantvirginia-city-hybrid-energy-center-virginia-city-virginia/)
- 2009-04 — CFB boiler erection began
  Erection of the circulating-fluidized-bed boilers began.
  Source: TOP PLANT: Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center, Virginia City, Virginia (https://www.powermag.com/topplantvirginia-city-hybrid-energy-center-virginia-city-virginia/)
- 2010-02 — Steam turbine erection began
  Erection of the steam turbine began, following the boiler erection work.
  Source: TOP PLANT: Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center, Virginia City, Virginia (https://www.powermag.com/topplantvirginia-city-hybrid-energy-center-virginia-city-virginia/)
- 2011-11 — First boiler fire
  Boiler first fire was completed during commissioning.
  Source: TOP PLANT: Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center, Virginia City, Virginia (https://www.powermag.com/topplantvirginia-city-hybrid-energy-center-virginia-city-virginia/)
- 2012-03-07 — First synchronization
  The plant achieved first synchronization with the grid.
  Source: TOP PLANT: Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center, Virginia City, Virginia (https://www.powermag.com/topplantvirginia-city-hybrid-energy-center-virginia-city-virginia/)
- 2012-07-10 — Commercial operation
  The facility was declared commercial and entered service on budget and on schedule.
  Source: TOP PLANT: Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center, Virginia City, Virginia (https://www.powermag.com/topplantvirginia-city-hybrid-energy-center-virginia-city-virginia/)
- 2020-07 — Waste-coal reclamation milestone
  Dominion reported nine completed waste-coal reclamation projects and more than 4 million tons of gob reclaimed since the plant began operating in 2012.
  Source: VCHEC | Dominion Energy (https://www.dominionenergy.com/en/About/Making-Energy/Power-Stations/VCHEC)

## Sources

- [VCHEC | Dominion Energy](https://www.dominionenergy.com/en/About/Making-Energy/Power-Stations/VCHEC) — dominionenergy.com · tier other
- [EIA - MBR | Index - Federal Energy Regulatory Commission](https://mbrweb.ferc.gov/SearchlkpEIA/Index?page=356) — mbrweb.ferc.gov · tier regulatory
- [‘Best’ Coal-Fired Power Plant and Cogeneration Case Studies](https://www.apec.org/docs/default-source/publications/2022/12/best-coal-fired-power-plant-and-cogeneration-case-studies/222_ewg_-best-coal-fired-power-plant-and-cogeneration-case-studies.pdf?sfvrsn=51031002_2) — apec.org · tier other
- [Curley Hollow CCR Rule Closure Plan](https://www.dominionenergy.com/-/media/content/about/ccr-rule-compliance-data-and-information/pdfs/virginia-city/curley-hollow/archive-documents/vch-chs-closure-plan-oct-2016.pdf) — dominionenergy.com · tier other
- [Source](https://powermag.com/topplantvirginia-city-hybrid-energy-center-virginia-city-virginia) — powermag.com · tier other
- [Dominion Virginia Power starts operations at Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center | Utility Dive](https://utilitydive.com/news/dominion-virginia-power-starts-operations-at-virginia-city-hybrid-energy-ce/40023) — utilitydive.com · tier other
- [TOP PLANT: Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center, Virginia City, Virginia](https://www.powermag.com/topplantvirginia-city-hybrid-energy-center-virginia-city-virginia/) — powermag.com · tier other
- [Steam Turbine Generators | TAES](https://toshiba.com/taes/products/steam-turbine-generator/) — toshiba.com · tier other
- [Amec Foster Wheeler wins contract for biomass fired CFB boiler | Wood](https://www.woodgroup.com/news/latest-news-articles/2016/amec-foster-wheeler-wins-contract-for-biomass-fired-cfb-boiler) — woodgroup.com · tier other
- [Source](https://dominionenergy.com/en/About/Making-Energy/Power-Stations/VCHEC) — dominionenergy.com · tier other
- [3.tif](https://www.scc.virginia.gov/docketsearch/DOCS/1_rg01%21.PDF) — scc.virginia.gov · tier regulatory
- [Dominion wants Wise County coal plant to stay as is • Virginia Mercury](https://virginiamercury.com/2022/11/23/dominion-wants-wise-county-coal-plant-to-stay-as-is/) — virginiamercury.com · tier other
- [Source](https://www.enr.com/articles/9989-industrialmaunfacturing---award-of-merit-virginia-city-hybrid-energy-center) — enr.com · tier other
- [EPC Material Handling Installation](https://www.crowderusa.com/projects/virginia-city-hybrid-energy-center) — crowderusa.com · tier other
- [The Shaw Group | Home](https://theshawgrp.com/) — theshawgrp.com · tier other
- [Boiler parts and services](https://www.woodgroup.com/solutions/expertise/boiler-parts-and-services) — woodgroup.com · tier other
- [Karrena USA - Home](https://www.karrena-usa.com/) — karrena-usa.com · tier other
- [Case Foundation, a Keller company](https://www.keller-na.com/case-foundation-keller-company) — keller-na.com · tier other
- [Home Remodeling Contractor in Corvallis, OR | W.L. ...](https://www.wl-construction.com/) — wl-construction.com · tier other
- [CB&I completes acquisition of The Shaw Group](https://www.power-eng.com/operations-maintenance/cb-i-completes-acquisition-of-the-shaw-group/) — power-eng.com · tier other
- [Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center](https://www.gem.wiki/Virginia_City_Hybrid_Energy_Center) — gem.wiki · tier other
- [Virginia State CASE Document Cover eFiling](https://www.scc.virginia.gov/docketsearch/DOCS/5jkv01%21.PDF) — scc.virginia.gov · tier regulatory

## Data quality

- Capacity figures use different conventions: EIA reports 668 MW of nameplate capacity, Dominion reports output of up to 610 MW, and project literature describes the plant as approximately 585–600 MW depending on the metric. They identify Virginia Power/Dominion as the applicant, developer, owner, and operator from project approval through operation. Separately disclosed financing included a $60 million 2009 borrowing connected with Wise County industrial-development-authority bonds, while Rider S recovered construction-related financing costs through regulated rates. No completed expansion or repowering was identified. A 2022 viability analysis considered retirement scenarios before 2045 and alternative site uses, while Dominion reported a path for economic operation through at least 2045. Project-contractor records identify WL Construction for final grading and paving, while one later equipment-provider table labels the party WL Foundation; the role should therefore be treated as reported contractor information rather than a fully reconciled corporate identity.

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