Loudoun County, Virginia, reported approximately 233 data-center buildings built or under construction as of March 2026—the world’s highest concentration—as rising electricity demand drives new grid investment
Loudoun County, Virginia, hosts the world's highest concentration of data centers, with 233 buildings built or under construction and significant planned expansion. This rapid growth has led to massive electricity demand, prompting Dominion Energy Virginia to make major grid investments. In response, Loudoun County has eliminated by-right development for data centers and the state utility commission is implementing new requirements for high-load customers.
Loudoun County, Virginia, known as a global hub for internet infrastructure, reported approximately 233 data center buildings built or under construction as of March 2026, totaling 56.5 million square feet. An additional 35.7 million square feet are approved, with 20.7 million more in the legislative pipeline. This concentration began in 1992 with the MAE East internet exchange point and was accelerated by a 2000 zoning decision that allowed data centers to be built by-right like office buildings.
The immense growth has placed unprecedented strain on the local electrical grid. Dominion Energy Virginia's 2025 annual report indicated data centers accounted for 28 percent of its total electricity sales, with peak load projected to grow by 5.4 percent annually over the next decade. The company is managing over 48 gigawatts of additional data center capacity in various contracting stages, a figure comparable to the United Kingdom's summer electricity consumption. Connection queues for new data centers now stretch for years, leading some operators to build onsite gas turbines and use diesel generators.
In response to this surge, Loudoun County eliminated the by-right development pathway in 2025, now requiring future data center proposals to undergo a special exception process with public hearings and Board of Supervisors approval. The state utility commission has directed Dominion to require high-load customers, starting January 2027, to sign 14-year commitments for power, even if they use less, to deter speculative applications. Furthermore, multiple bills in the Virginia General Assembly aim to grant local governments authority to deny data center applications if the grid cannot support them.