Opinion: Appalachian Power executive says data centers could boost West Virginia’s economy and electric grid
An opinion article by Appalachian Power President and COO Brian Abraham argues that West Virginia should welcome data centers as a way to broaden the electric utility’s customer base, support economic development and help distribute grid costs. Abraham says newer cooling technologies can reduce water use and highlights Appalachian Power’s large-load tariff as protection for existing customers.
Brian Abraham, president and chief operating officer of Appalachian Power, argues that West Virginia should pursue data center development as electricity demand grows and traditional large customers such as coal mines and chemical plants decline. He says data centers could bring construction and permanent jobs, tax revenue, and additional customers to help spread the cost of maintaining the electric grid.
Abraham acknowledges concerns about data center water use and says newer closed-loop, hybrid and advanced cooling systems can reduce consumption. He also points to Appalachian Power’s large-load tariff, which is intended to make data centers pay for the generation and transmission infrastructure required to serve them rather than shifting those costs to existing residential and commercial customers.