Data centers contribute to Virginia’s growing electricity demand

Electricity demand in Virginia has increased by 21% over the past decade, significantly outpacing the U.S. average growth of 5% during the same period. Virginia has nearly 600 data centers, the highest concentration anywhere in the world. Rapid expansion of data centers has contributed to Virginia’s growing electricity consumption. Virginia now ranks ninth highest among the states in terms of electricity demand, surpassing Illinois in 2023 for the first time since at least 1960. The commercial sector, including data centers, now accounts for 54% of Virginia’s electricity sales, the highest share of any state and up from 43% in 2014.