Data Centers & Energy Demand

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.

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.

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

Presentation: Data Center Energy Demand in Northern Virginia

Presentation: Data Center Energy Demand in Northern Virginia

PEC’s Director of Land Use Julie Bolthouse presents on the …
data center web map screenshot

Data Centers, Diesel Generators and Air Quality – PEC Web Map

PEC requested the air permits for all of the approximately …
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

President’s Letter: We Need Your Support

The pressures on our region are real and growing and we must respond and deliver solutions that protect our natural resources while advancing Virginia’s clean energy future …
The Environmental Footprint of the Digital Age

The Environmental Footprint of the Digital Age

Virginia is subsidizing billions of dollars in data center development on the backs of its ratepayers, without a full understanding of the long-term ramifications …
One Approved, Another on the Horizon

One Approved, Another on the Horizon

Approval of Copper Ridge; Cielo data center campus proposed just east of Town …
Copper Ridge Data Center Campus Heads to Town Council

Copper Ridge Data Center Campus Heads to Town Council

On Tuesday, Aug. 15, the Planning Commission vote on Copper Ridge was tied 2-2, with one of the commissioners having recused himself. The data center campus rezoning now heads to the Town Council on Sept …
Mitigating Data Center Development's Impacts

Mitigating Data Center Development’s Impacts

Virginia is home to the largest concentration of data centers in the world, widely cited as hosting 70% of global internet traffic. This massive industry is continuing to grow very fast, requiring huge amounts of energy, …
aerial of a neatly manicured cemetery located alone a road, surrounded by green plots of land buffered by trees

Copper Ridge Data Center Rezoning Tabled Until August 15

The Town of Culpeper Planning Commission moved to hold any decision on the rezoning application until its next regular meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 15 at 6 p.m …
aerial of a neatly manicured cemetery located alone a road, surrounded by green plots of land buffered by trees

Copper Ridge Goes to First Public Hearing

The Town Planning Commission will hear the data center campus proposal on Tuesday, July 18 at 6 p.m …
Presentation: Data Center Energy Demand in Northern Virginia

Presentation: Data Center Energy Demand in Northern Virginia

PEC’s Director of Land Use Julie Bolthouse presents on the impacts of data center growth on Virginia’s clean energy future …