Oregon’s data centers use almost 25% of the state’s power, report reveals
A new report from ECOnorthwest and the University of Virginia reveals that Oregon's 111 operational data centers consume 23% of the state's retail energy in 2025. This figure is projected to rise to 31-32% of all electricity demand by 2030 due to 32 additional data centers currently planned or under construction. The report emphasizes the need for new electricity resources, transmission capacity, and coordinated infrastructure planning to accommodate this substantial growth.
A recent report by ECOnorthwest and the University of Virginia has shed light on the significant energy consumption of data centers in Oregon. The study, funded by the Lemelson Foundation, found that the state currently hosts 111 operational data centers, occupying 22.1 million square feet, which account for 23 percent of Oregon's total retail energy sales in 2025.
Looking ahead, the report indicates that an additional 32 data centers, spanning 6.9 million square feet, are either under construction or in the planning stages. Researchers project that data center energy demand in Oregon will soar to nearly 25 terawatt hours by 2030, representing 31 to 32 percent of the state's entire electricity demand—equivalent to the consumption of 2.5 million homes. This growth, the report states, will necessitate substantial investments in new electricity resources, transmission capacity, and integrated infrastructure planning. The data center sector currently employs 2,630 workers directly within the state.