Dominion Energy Files New Resource Plan in Virginia
The plan includes 3.5 gigawatts of battery storage capacity alongside new gas-fired generation units.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Energy
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Dominion Energy has filed an Integrated Resource Plan that calls for 3.5 gigawatts of battery energy storage system capacity. The utility also intends to add 8.9 gigawatts of gas-fired capacity to meet reliability requirements amid rising load growth.
Why it matters
The plan is designed to address reliability concerns, resource delays, and the requirements of Virginia’s expanded energy storage mandate. It invokes the Virginia Clean Economy Act reliability exception to justify the addition of new natural gas assets.
Dominion Energy’s plan includes 21 gigawatts of solar capacity and 3.4 gigawatts of offshore wind. The utility currently has 50 megawatts of battery storage in operation while seeking to meet a target of 16,000 megawatts of short-duration storage by 2045.
The players
Dominion Energy
This electric utility company provides energy services to millions of customers across Virginia and other states.
Abigail Spanberger
As the Governor of Virginia, she signed the state's energy storage legislation into law in April 2026.
PJM
This regional transmission organization manages the movement of wholesale electricity across all or parts of 13 states and the District of Columbia.
The details
Dominion Energy plans to introduce three small modular reactor sets starting in 2042 to bolster generation. The company is also piloting three non-lithium-ion battery projects at the Darbytown Power Station to explore new storage technologies.
Timeline
February 2026: Virginia General Assembly passed storage legislation.
April 2026: Governor Abigail Spanberger signed the storage legislation into law.
2028/2029: The PJM capacity market auction period recently cleared at the price cap.
2042: Anticipated start date for small modular reactor sets.
2045: Deadline for mandated storage capacity additions.
The Big Picture
The utility’s strategy follows the regulatory framework established by the Virginia Clean Economy Act to manage the transition of the state's power grid. By invoking specific reliability exceptions, the plan balances mandated renewable growth with necessary baseload gas capacity.
This resource plan directly informs the long-term energy infrastructure and potential reliability of the power grid for Virginia residents. It outlines how the state will balance future energy demands with current generation retirements and new technology integration.
The takeaway
The utility's plan highlights the ongoing challenge of meeting high grid reliability standards while shifting toward a renewable-heavy portfolio. Residents should note that the integration of gas-fired capacity and small modular reactors remains a central part of the transition timeline.
Further reading
For additional context, see the latest updates on Energy in Virginia.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Energy Storage News.
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Should your local utility prioritize building battery storage capacity over adding new gas-fired power plants?
