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Virginia Data Center Intel
Latest data center news, projects, power and policy across Virginia — updated daily.
Virginia · Construction & power moves · 40
full tracker →Land, power, and interconnection moves across Virginia — each traced to primary filings.
Top JUST IN — Virginia
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PJM proposes reliability standards for large-load ride-through (no docket)
Source: PJM Inside Lines · Sep 10, 2026PJM Inside Lines reports that PJM has proposed new interconnection reliability requirements for large loads, including data centers and crypto-mining facilities, to require facilities to stay connected during grid disturbances and “riding through” voltage and frequency excursions. The article says the proposal responds to a June 18 FERC order and that “PJM plans to file proposed solutions to FERC in November.”
Backed by 1 primary filing — sign in or book a call to see all sources.
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PJM, Dominion Review Large Load Transfer Event
Source: PJM Inside Lines · Aug 11, 2026PJM Inside Lines reports that PJM is reviewing changes to interconnection reliability requirements for Large Loads after a July 22 event in Virginia in which “nearly 4,000 MW of data center load trip offline unexpectedly.” The article also says FERC ordered NERC to create enforceable Reliability Standards for computational loads and that the first phase of new enforcement provisions is due Dec. 31, 2026.
Backed by 1 primary filing — sign in or book a call to see all sources.
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Opening Statement of Commissioner Christie to House Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security
Source: FERCFERC Commissioner Christie warned that U.S. grid reliability faces “potentially catastrophic consequences” as “unprecedented forecasts for demand increases” from “data centers, including Artificial Intelligence (AI)” collide with fast-retiring dispatchable generation and policy pressure. In PJM, he said, “PJM faces unprecedented load growth due to the proliferation of data centers,” while also noting that EPA power-plant rules could “forcibly” accelerate coal retirements and make new gas generation “extremely difficult, if not virtually impossible” to build. Christie also said the PJM interconnection queue “largely consists of intermittent generation, primarily wind and solar,” and that legal challenges are delaying needed natural-gas pipeline infrastructure.
Backed by 1 primary filing — sign in or book a call to see all sources.
Recent Virginia data center news
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Data center capacity soaring, along with investment and land use
The report from Wood Mackenzie revealed that U.S. data centers exceeded 92 GW of capacity by the end of 2024, with a monthly addition of 7 GW in the fourth quarter. Virginia and Texas are leading markets. Meta committed to 100% renewable energy usage with the construction of the 505 MWdc Hanson solar facility. Amazon secured capacity for the 100 MW Ragsdale Solar Park in Mississippi, part of the burgeoning infrastructure in data centers associated with growing electricity demand and AI workloads.
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Why Geothermal is the Hot Ticket to Low-Carbon Data Centers?
The article discusses the potential of geothermal energy for powering low-carbon data centers.
Tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta are expanding quickly, and data centers’ electricity demand is projected to rise significantly, reaching between 325 and 580 TWh by 2028.
The U.S. Department of Energy revealed that geothermal energy could avoid up to 516 million metric tons of CO₂ equivalent emissions by 2050.
Innovations in Enhanced Geothermal Systems are making it feasible for data centers to generate clean and reliable power, potentially supplying up to 15% of power in key data center hubs.
Major investments are being made by companies, including a partnership between Alphabet and NV Energy to secure 115 MW of geothermal power. -
LS Power Adding Gas-Fired Capacity as Part of PJM Initiative
LS Power announced its application to build approximately 700 MW of new generation supply as part of PJM’s Reliability Resource Initiative (RRI) aimed at connecting high-reliability projects to the grid. The company is converting two peaking facilities in Ohio and Pennsylvania to baseload combined-cycle plants and plans capacity uprates at other existing facilities in Virginia and Pennsylvania. The total investment for these projects exceeds $1 billion, with completion anticipated sooner than larger projects.
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LS Power Submits Proposal to Add New Generation Supply Across PJM
LS Power has submitted a proposal to construct approximately 700 MW of new generation capacity as part of PJM’s Reliability Resource Initiative (RRI). This initiative seeks to expedite the connection of shovel-ready, high-reliability projects to the grid due to increasing demand and forecasted load growth. LS Power plans to convert two facilities in Pennsylvania and Ohio to base-load combined cycle plants and has projected an investment value of more than $1 billion for these capacity additions.
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Long-Term Load Forecast Update | Data Centers Lead the Way
Enverus Intelligence Research (EIR) updated its long-term load forecast, now predicting a 30% increase in U.S. power demand by 2050. This is a revision from the previous estimate of 39%. The report highlights that the reshoring trend will contribute less than 3% to average load growth, while forecasts for data centers show an average load increase of 41 GW through 2035. Key regions identified for load growth are ERCOT Far West, PJM Dominion, with factors such as oil field electrification and the expansion of data centers driving demand.
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Data center capacity is soaring, along with investment and land use
Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, and Google have significantly increased their electricity demand with the rise of data centers amid AI adoption. Meta signed an agreement with Cypress Creek Renewables for a 505 MWdc solar facility in Texas. They aim to match 100% of electricity needs with renewable sources. The average data center size grew over 23% from 2023 to 2024, indicating a shift towards larger AI-driven workloads. Notably, 13 projects exceed $4 billion in costs, contributing to overall capex of $195 billion, with major markets in Virginia and Texas.
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Could geothermal meet rising data center electricity demand?
The Rhodium Group, in a report released on March 11, 2025, explored the potential of geothermal energy to meet the rising electricity demand from data centers due to the expanding use of artificial intelligence (AI). The report suggests that enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) could supply up to 64% of projected data center demand growth by the early 2030s, and in optimal conditions, cover 100% of demand at lower costs than conventional electricity. If AI companies prioritize siting data centers near geothermal resources, geothermal energy could meet 100% of projected demand growth while cutting costs and emissions.
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Hitachi Energy invests additional $250 million USD to address global transformer shortage
Hitachi Energy announced additional major investments of more than $250 million USD to expand global production of transformers’ critical components by 2027. The investment aims to meet surging transformer demand as the electrification of industries amplifies electricity needs. This follows a previous $6 billion USD investment announced in 2024, focusing on expanding production capacities across the U.S. and worldwide, with particular emphasis on facilities in Virginia, Missouri, and Mississippi.
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Diversified Energy, FuelCell Energy, and TESIAC Collaborate to Form an Acquisition and Development Company to Leverage Coal Mine Methane and Natural Gas for Off-Grid Data Center Power Projects
The United States-based Diversified Energy, FuelCell Energy, and TESIAC announced a partnership targeting data center energy needs by leveraging coal mine methane (CMM) and natural gas to provide as much as 360 megawatts of electricity across Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky. This initiative aims to develop an Acquisition and Development Company focused on delivering reliable, net-zero power generation solutions. The partnership emphasizes fast deployment and economic growth, while aiming for a reduction in carbon emissions through efficient energy generation methods. The strategy anticipates the creation of numerous jobs and supports the growth of sustainable energy infrastructure.
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Diversified Energy, FuelCell Energy, and TESIAC Collaborate to Form an Acquisition and Development Company to Leverage Coal Mine Methane and Natural Gas for Off-Grid Data Center Power Projects
US-based Diversified Energy, FuelCell Energy, and TESIAC have entered into a strategic partnership to create an Acquisition and Development Company focused on delivering reliable, cost-efficient, net-zero power from natural gas and captured coal mine methane (CMM) to data centers. The collaboration aims to supply up to 360 megawatts of electricity to data centers across Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky. This innovative approach leverages in-basin natural gas production and advanced fuel cell technology to generate on-site, continuous power, enhancing efficiency and reducing carbon emissions while supporting local economic growth.