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Virginia Data Center Intel
Latest data center news, projects, power and policy across Virginia — updated daily.
Recent Virginia data center news
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The AI infrastructure race hits a political reality check
The article discusses the growing demand for energy due to the rise of AI-driven data centers in the United States. Entergy has initiated a $10 billion deal to provide power for a new Meta AI data center in Louisiana, despite facing backlash from environmental groups. Communities are questioning the sustainability of such projects as they demand significant land, water, and electricity, leading to concerns about environmental impact. The piece also highlights the tension between tech firms and local utilities regarding energy consumption and infrastructure adequacy.
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AI data center boom could boost renewables — with the right drivers in place
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Senate Passes Microgrid, Budget Bills on Penultimate Day of Session - Wrap Up
The West Virginia Senate passed House Bill 2014 to promote microgrid development and data center growth in the state.
- House Bill 2014 establishes a Certified Microgrid Program within the Division of Economic Development to attract data centers powered by microgrids.
- The bill allocates property tax revenue generated by the program: 50% to Personal Income Tax Reduction Fund, 40% to the county hosting the data center, 5% distributed per capita to all counties, 3% to Low Income Energy Assistance Program, and 2% to a power grid stabilization fund.
- The Department of Commerce Secretary is authorized to certify microgrid districts based on significant positive economic impact.
- The fiscal year 2026 budget totals $5.3 billion with detailed allocations to various state departments including $7.9 million to the Department of Environmental Protection.
- The budget includes special revenue appropriations totaling $12 million for various state services and $33 million for the Hope Scholarship from General and Lottery Revenue Funds.
This legislation supports infrastructure modernization through microgrids and data center development, with budget provisions reflecting state priorities for economic development and energy programs.
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Construction planning falters
Dodge Construction Network reported a 6.9% decline in the Dodge Momentum Index for March, indicating a slowdown in nonresidential construction planning. This decline was attributed to uncertainties surrounding material prices and potential tariffs from the Trump administration. Major projects in planning included a $400 million data center in Alabama and a $500 million ambulatory care building in California.
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Opinion: Keeping Up With Big Tech: What Natural Gas Providers Must Do To Stay Competitive
Meta plans to build 3 power plants to support its AI data center, becoming Entergy’s largest customer. Chevron and GE announced a partnership to create the first multi gigawatt-scale power plant and data center. Blackstone acquired a power plant in Virginia to integrate energy into tech investments. Energy providers must ensure operational efficiency and sustainability amidst rising Big Tech AI demands.
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Meeting Unprecedented Need with Cutting-Edge Solutions
Apex Clean Energy has highlighted the urgent need for new energy solutions due to the anticipated demand from data centers, which are projected to require 63 GW of new capacity by 2030—a 160% increase from current levels. The aging electric grid and lengthy interconnection timelines have prompted the adoption of co-located renewable systems, allowing for direct power supply to data centers, significantly improving time-to-power and sustainability. By utilizing a mix of wind, solar, and energy storage, these systems can meet a large percentage of data center electricity needs efficiently and reliably.
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O desafio de operações verdadeiramente limpas
Many electricity buyers in the US have utilized Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for clean energy, fueling 42% of solar and wind capacity installed from 2014 to 2023. Companies like Google and Microsoft have committed to 24/7 carbon-free energy by 2030, pushing for technology that matches renewable supply with real-time demand. Despite challenges, solar remains the leading renewable energy contributor, with a record 39.6 GW added in 2024, raising total capacity to 220 GW. The energy storage capacity has doubled to nearly 29 GW in the past year, with a projected growth of 47% by 2025.
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The challenge of truly clean-powered operations
Many U.S. electricity buyers have utilized Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) to obtain clean power, resulting in a significant installation of solar and wind capacity driven by corporate sustainability goals. Companies like Google and Microsoft aim to achieve round-the-clock carbon-free energy by 2030, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions such as hourly matching to address clean energy gaps. The U.S. battery energy storage capacity doubled last year, supporting the growing demand for renewable energy solutions. Increased interest in hybrid PPAs is anticipated, alongside the potential for granular certificates tracking carbon-free energy generation on an hourly basis.
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The challenge of truly clean-powered operations
Several major US companies, including Google and Microsoft, have committed to sourcing 24/7 carbon-free energy by 2030, pushing for a shift towards hourly matching of renewable energy with consumption. The increase in power demand, attributed to corporate sustainability goals and data center expansions, is forecasted to grow by 3% annually through 2030. As solar capacity in the US grows, companies are exploring hybrid PPAs and the development of energy storage systems to meet this demand, with 39.6 GW of new solar capacity added in 2024 alone.
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Request for Information on Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure on DOE Lands
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a Request for Information (RFI) to explore opportunities for AI infrastructure development on its lands. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance AI capabilities in the U.S. and maintain leadership in the field. The RFI targets industry input on potential development approaches and operational models for AI data centers at select DOE sites, aiming for operational commencement by the end of 2027. Responses to this RFI are due by May 7, 2025.