US Data Center Briefing · January 26, 2026
January 26, 2026
Virginia considering pause on hyperscale approvals tied to interconnection backlogs
Stronger state-level review of grid capacity, ratepayer and environmental impacts
US emissions rose in 2025; data centres and crypto cited as a driver
Power mix shifts: coal up, solar up, zero-carbon share at 42% in US electricity
AI-driven electronics and server supply chain growth signalled by Taiwan output surge
Top news (3)
- Virginia push to pause hyperscale approvals until interconnections clear. The Piedmont Environmental Council is backing two bills that would slow new hyperscale approvals and tighten state review around grid capacity and consumer/environmental impacts. See: PEC backs Virginia bills pausing hyperscale data center approvals.
- US emissions rose in 2025, with data centres and crypto flagged as a driver. A Rhodium Group study says US GHG emissions increased 2.4% to ~5.9bn tons CO2e, citing “explosive growth” in data centres/crypto alongside weather and fuel-price effects. See: U.S. carbon pollution rises 2.4% in 2025, reversing reductions.
- Taiwan industrial production hit a record on AI-driven electronics/servers demand. Taiwan reported +16.70% industrial production in 2025 (index 112.16), with strong growth in electronics components and computer/optoelectronics tied to AI-linked supply chains (including servers). See: Taiwan industrial production hits record in 2025 on AI boom.
Key deals & projects
No specific new data centre deals/projects, financings, or capex items were disclosed in today’s stories.
Power, grid & interconnection highlights
United States (Virginia)
- PEC backs Virginia bills pausing hyperscale data center approvals:
- HB1515 (Del. Irene Shin): would temporarily pause approvals of local hyperscale data centre projects until pending grid interconnection requests are fulfilled.
- HB155 (Del. Josh Thomas): would require the State Corporation Commission to evaluate:
- Grid capacity
- Customer bill impacts
- Environmental and public health effects
- Consistency with state clean energy policy
- before issuing certificates of operation.
United States (system-wide)
- U.S. carbon pollution rises 2.4% in 2025, reversing reductions:
- Rhodium Group (Jan. 13) estimates 2025 emissions +2.4% to ~5.9bn tons CO2e (+139m tons vs 2024).
- Drivers cited include cool winter heating demand, data centres/cryptocurrency mining growth, and higher natural gas prices.
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Power mix signals noted in the study:
- Coal-fired power +13%
- Solar +34%
- Zero-carbon sources = 42% of US electricity
Policy & regulation
United States (Virginia)
- PEC backs Virginia bills pausing hyperscale data center approvals would, if advanced:
- Increase regulatory friction and timeline risk for hyperscale development in Virginia.
- Place explicit emphasis on interconnection queue clearing, ratepayer impacts, and environment/health review as prerequisites for approvals/operations.
Supply chain / demand indicators
Taiwan
- Taiwan industrial production hits record in 2025 on AI boom:
- 2025 industrial production +16.70% to index 112.16.
- Manufacturing subindex +17.87% to 113.12.
- Sector growth highlights: electronics components +24.71%, computer/optoelectronics +56.43%.
- December +21.57% YoY; Taiwan forecasts January manufacturing index 130.69–134.69 (+35.6–39.7% YoY).
2-line wrap
Virginia lawmakers are being pressed to link hyperscale approvals to grid interconnection readiness and broader system impacts.
Separately, macro indicators point to accelerating AI-driven compute hardware demand while US emissions data highlights the system-wide power implications of data centre growth.