Gov. Spanberger unveils Virginia Energy Plan as power demand set to spike
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger released a statewide energy plan responding to projected electricity demand growth of 98% by 2050, driven substantially by data centers. The plan presents multiple pathways for expanding power generation while meeting the Virginia Clean Economy Act, while some Republican lawmakers called for a data center moratorium and repeal of clean-energy policies.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger unveiled the Virginia Energy Plan, a nearly 200-page roadmap developed through stakeholder meetings and public input. It projects that electricity demand could rise 98% by 2050, with data centers identified as a major driver, while Virginia currently imports 30% to 40% of its electricity. The plan outlines five possible pathways, including scenarios involving distributed energy resources, data center demand flexibility, fuel cells, linear generators and expanded generation, while maintaining the state's net-zero requirements under the Virginia Clean Economy Act.
Republican lawmakers criticized the plan and argued that Virginia should repeal the Virginia Clean Economy Act and leave the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. State Sen. Glen Sturtevant also called for a moratorium on data center development and legislation requiring data centers to pay the full cost of their impact on the electric grid. Dominion Energy said the plan's focus on affordability, reliability and cleaner energy aligns with its priorities, adding that its proposed combination with NextEra Energy could strengthen the companies' ability to meet demand.