Overview
Sewell's Point Substation is an operational 230 kV electrical substation in Norfolk, Virginia, owned and operated by Virginia Electric and Power Company. It plays a key role in the regional power grid.
Sewell's Point Substation is a high-voltage electrical substation located in Norfolk, Virginia, United States. Operating at 230 kV, it is a critical node in the transmission network serving the Hampton Roads area. The facility is owned and operated by Virginia Electric and Power Company, a subsidiary of Dominion Energy, which is a major utility in the Mid-Atlantic region. The substation operates under the regulatory framework of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), ensuring compliance with reliability standards for bulk power systems. As a 230 kV facility, it falls within the typical voltage range for sub-transmission and transmission substations, supporting grid stability and power distribution to industrial, commercial, and residential customers. Located near the Elizabeth River and the Port of Virginia, Sewell's Point Substation is strategically positioned to serve a region with significant industrial and maritime activity. Its operational status contributes to the resilience of the local electrical infrastructure, supporting economic activities and community services in the Norfolk metropolitan area.
Environmental context
The substation's location in an urban-industrial area near waterways presents typical environmental considerations for electrical infrastructure, including stormwater management and electromagnetic field (EMF) mitigation. The facility's 230 kV voltage level requires adherence to NERC standards for vegetation management and wildlife protection to prevent outages and ensure grid reliability.
Frequently asked questions
Sewell's Point Substation is located in Norfolk, Virginia, United States, near the Elizabeth River and the Port of Virginia.
Sewell's Point Substation operates at 230 kV (230,000 volts), which is a common voltage for transmission and sub-transmission substations in the United States.
The substation is owned and operated by Virginia Electric and Power Company, a subsidiary of Dominion Energy, one of the largest utility companies in the Mid-Atlantic region.
As part of the U.S. bulk power system, Sewell's Point Substation must comply with NERC reliability standards and FERC regulations, including requirements for grid stability, cybersecurity, and maintenance.
Sewell's Point Substation serves as a key node in the transmission network, stepping down voltage for distribution to industrial, commercial, and residential customers in the Norfolk area, supporting the region's economic and maritime activities.