Data Centers & Energy Demand

Virginia is undergoing a massive economic, technological, and environmental transformation, all centered around the activities of one industry: data centers.

The explosive growth of the data center industry represents a major challenge to achieving a clean energy future in Virginia. Data center development in Northern Virginia has been accelerating for years, with a higher concentration in Loudoun County than anywhere else in the world. As of late 2022, data centers accounted for 21% of Dominion Energy’s electricity sales [pg 26] in Virginia. In fact, data centers represent the only growing sector [pg 5] of electricity demand in Virginia, and that demand growth is projected to more than double peak load by 2040 [pg 28]. 

Disturbingly, Dominion’s Integrated Resource Plan filed in 2023 points to higher-than-anticipated load growth from data centers as the rationale for leaving in place existing fossil-fuel generation and pursuing an “all of the above” energy strategy moving forward.

Download our Fact Sheet: Data Centers: Industry Impacts in Virginia

screenshot of data center web map

Existing and Proposed Data Centers – A Web Map

How many data centers currently exist in Virginia? How many proposals are in the works? These are very good questions …
Initial Transmission Proposals - PEC Web Map

Initial Transmission Proposals – PEC Web Map

Transmission line proposals to serve the explosive growth of data centers in Virginia over the past few years have begun …

Virginia’s current approach is unsustainable…

The sheer number and scale of Virginia data center proposals and the accumulation of so many data centers in such a relatively small area has led to a severely constrained electric grid and increased reliance on polluting backup diesel generators. As new data centers go in and Dominion Energy builds out the grid to accommodate the likes of Amazon Web Services and others in the industry, local residents and communities are left wondering: who is going to foot the bill and what are the implications for our air quality, climate goals, water resources, health and the environment?

While many data centers make clean energy and sustainability commitments, there is no way to clearly evaluate these claims due to non-disclosure agreements and general secrecy around the industry. What we do know is this: increasingly, the public is being asked to subsidize new transmission infrastructure and compromise on Virginia’s clean energy and conservation goals in order to meet the massive electricity demand caused by one private industry.

…but we’re leading state-wide reform.

More than 25 organizations across Virginia, including PEC, have formed the Virginia Data Center Reform Coalition to urge state lawmakers to study the cumulative effects of data center development across Virginia, and to institute several reforms for the industry. The Commonwealth is reaping the benefits of the Coalition’s hard work. In 2024, several bills were introduced to the Virginia General Assembly thanks to direct legislative and community mobilization action from organizations like PEC and our partners.

PEC supports four pillars of data center industry reform. Read more here

aerial view of a huge boxy building next to a 6 lane road

Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission Authorizes Data Center Study

On Dec. 11, 2023, the Virginia Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission passed a resolution authorizing a robust study into …
Power Surge: Data center boom leads to expansive transmission proposals

Power Surge: Data center boom leads to expansive transmission proposals

We must address the booming data center growth in our state that is requiring unprecedented expansions of our energy grid …

It’s time to push back and ask tough questions.

Please use this letter to ask your elected officials in the Virginia General Assembly to address data center impacts. View and learn about some important data center reform legislation from 2025 →

data center in Loudoun with transmission line

Four Pillars of Data Center Reform

Without strong regulatory and legislative intervention, the risks and costs of the immense infrastructure supporting data centers is destined to be passed on to all ratepayers, including other businesses and residents …
Representatives from several groups joined together at PEC’s o  ce on July 27 to kick o  a statewide data center reform coalition. Photo by Hugh Kenny

Virginia Data Center Reform Coalition

This growing coalition is made up of more than 25 environmental, conservation, historic preservation, and climate advocacy groups, as well as representatives of communities and neighborhoods across the state of Virginia. Together, we are urging …
| | Data Centers, General Assembly
Proposed Gigaland Data Center Development Looms Over Remington

Proposed Gigaland Data Center Development Looms Over Remington

A proposal for a massive data center campus known as “Gigaland,” if approved, would have major implications for Remington and Fauquier County and pave the way for more transmission lines and data center approvals. We …
Data Center Resources for Communities, Community Leaders & Elected Officials

Data Center Resources for Communities, Community Leaders & Elected Officials

A list of links and resources to better understand data centers and their impacts …
Proposed Transmission Line Routes in Loudoun Could Have Significant Impacts for Residents

Proposed Transmission Line Routes in Loudoun Could Have Significant Impacts for Residents

Increasing energy demand in Loudoun — the data center capital of the world — requires extensive new infrastructure buildout. To meet the load demand, fueled principally by data centers, Dominion Energy has initiated several new/expanded …
Transmission Line Mega Project Approval Process Accelerated Without Complete Review and Mitigation of Serious Impacts

Transmission Line Mega Project Approval Process Accelerated Without Complete Review and Mitigation of Serious Impacts

This month, Dominion is holding three community meetings on the Morrisville-Wishing Star 500kV and 230kV electric transmission lines through Fauquier, Prince William and Loudoun counties …
Upcoming Dominion Community Meetings About Proposed Transmission Line

Upcoming Dominion Community Meetings About Proposed Transmission Line

In May, Dominion will hold community meetings on one of its projects — the Morrisville-Wishing Star 500kV and 230kV electric transmission lines through Fauquier, Prince William and Loudoun counties …
Virginia's Digital and Energy Future is in the Hands of the SCC

Virginia’s Digital and Energy Future is in the Hands of the SCC

I’m writing to you today to tell you about a critical opportunity to weigh in on fair energy prices and a sustainable future for Virginia.  …
A group of people in heavy winter coats stand in front of a charter bus in a dark parking lot, smiling at the camera.

Data Center Reform Campaign Continues

In the pre-dawn hours in a Haymarket parking lot, a few dozen people huddled in record cold temperatures as they made their way to the warm glow of a charter bus. Their destination: Richmond. Their …
Virginia citizens and businesses have opportunity to weigh in with the SCC on data centers and the long term impact on their energy costs

Virginia citizens and businesses have opportunity to weigh in with the SCC on data centers and the long term impact on their energy costs

The General Assembly failed to pass meaningful data center reform, despite the introduction of bi-partisan bills to rein in data center impacts and protect Virginia ratepayers from increased energy costs. Now, all eyes are on …