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West Virginia Data Center Intel
Latest data center news, projects, power and policy across West Virginia — updated daily.
Recent West Virginia data center news
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Climate Change Solutions - July 29, 2025
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) newsletter highlights recent climate change solutions, legislative updates, and upcoming events.
- Innovative technologies such as AI-driven disaster resilience tools by U.S. National Laboratories and upgraded air filters to reduce wildfire smoke injuries are featured.
- Legislative progress includes the Hydropower Licensing Transparency Act passed by the House, the La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act advancing with job creation and solar capacity details, and the Fire Ready Nation Act advancing in the Senate to enhance wildfire forecasting.
- Upcoming briefings focus on Ohio River restoration and the intersection of AI and climate policy.
- The newsletter also provides links to recordings of the 28th annual Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency EXPO and related policy forums.
- EESI President Daniel Bresette is quoted on energy and AI topics; contact details and social media links for EESI are provided.
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The race to AI: Expect the unexpected
Schneider Electric commits to working with partners like Nvidia and data center operators to support AI demand while developing and executing sustainability strategies.
- Main announcement/action: Schneider Electric will work with partners (including Nvidia) and data center operators to deliver power and sustainability solutions for AI workloads, including on-site Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and strategies to manage emergency generators using biodiesel; the company frames this as supporting immediate AI demand while transitioning away from higher-carbon “bridge power“ sources.
- Background and concrete details: The article notes Northern Virginia’s Data Center Alley (processing about 70% of the world’s internet traffic) is considering using power from coal-fired plants in West Virginia, and a planned 360MW data center campus in Abilene, TX (Stargate JV) has applied to build a natural gas plant as bridge power with plans to replace it later; the piece also cites use of VPPAs/RECs, the role of BESS, and an Nvidia GPU backlog until 2026 as concrete implementation/timing details.
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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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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.
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A capacidade dos Data Centers vem aumentando, assim como o investimento e o uso da terra
The article discusses the increasing capacity and investment in Data Centers in the United States, attributed mainly to a surge in electricity demand driven by artificial intelligence applications. By the end of 2024, Data Centers had reached over 92 GW of capacity, with additional monthly growth surpassing 7 GW. Major companies like Meta and Amazon are investing heavily in renewable energy to meet their electricity consumption, including significant solar projects in Texas and Mississippi. The trend highlights the urgent market expansion and infrastructure challenges for energy supply.
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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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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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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.