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Virginia’s energy demand experiencing ‘significant growth’ due to data centers


A recent report from the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) in Virginia highlights the significant impact that data centers are having on the state’s electricity consumption. The report suggests that if the growth of data centers continues unchecked, the state’s electricity demand could nearly triple by 2040.

Data centers, which are large industrial buildings housing arrays of computers that power various online services, are driving this increase in energy demand. Most of Virginia’s data centers are located in Northern Virginia and are primarily operated by tech giants like Amazon, Google, Meta, and Microsoft. These data centers consume large amounts of electricity, with some larger facilities requiring as much power as an automobile assembly plant or 4,500 homes.

To meet this growing demand, the report recommends substantial investments in solar, wind, nuclear, and natural gas power. The state would need to add new generation facilities and transmission infrastructure at a rapid pace to keep up. Additionally, adjustments to utility rates, participation in demand response programs, and potential delays in providing service to new data centers are suggested as possible solutions to manage the increasing energy demand.

Critics of the report are concerned about the environmental impacts of this rapid growth, as well as the strain it may put on the state’s electricity grid. State lawmakers and utilities are urged to take action now to address these challenges and ensure a reliable, affordable, and sustainable electric system for the future.

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