Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell joined the energy company officials on 27 September in dedicating the new power station, marking the completion of a four-year, $1.8bn construction project.
McDonnell said, "This amazing project is part of a $4 billion planned investment by Dominion to provide for the energy needs of a growing Virginia economy, an investment that will include completion of six power station projects over the next two years."
The facility, which uses coal and renewable biomass to generate enough electricity to power 146,000 homes, is expected to help Dominion meet an anticipated 4,000MW growth in electricity demand from its customers during the ten years.
Dominion chairman, president and CEO Thomas F Farrell II said, "Virginia City is a welcome addition to our generating fleet and helps ensure reliable power, a diverse energy mix and stable, economic rates for our customers."
The power plant, which entered commercial service in July, burns run-of-mine coal, waste coal and up to 20% renewable biomass in two boilers to produce 585MW of electricity.
The company is also converting the older coal-burning Bremo Power Station to natural gas as part of the Virginia City air permit.
