Appalachian Power to hold open house for data center grid upgrades
Appalachian Power is holding a public meeting to discuss upgrades to its electrical grid in Botetourt County, Virginia, to support a new Google data center in Daleville. The utility plans to replace transmission lines, improve substations, and build a new substation, with Google funding these infrastructure improvements. These upgrades are anticipated to benefit the region's economic growth and potentially lower customer rates.
Appalachian Power is undertaking significant grid infrastructure upgrades in Botetourt County, Virginia, specifically to support a new Google data center planned for Daleville. The utility intends to replace 17 miles of 138-kilovolt transmission line with higher capacity wire, enhance four existing electrical substations, and construct a new substation along with a tenth of a mile of new power line.
According to Appalachian Power spokesperson George Porter, Google is covering the cost of these upgrades. Porter stated that these improvements are expected to foster economic growth, attract other companies to the area, create jobs, and ultimately reduce electricity rates for all customers in the region. Google has indicated its intention to power its data center with renewable energy, although Appalachian Power's current generation portfolio relies heavily on coal. Google has a national goal of procuring 23 GW of carbon-free power for its data centers, including power from the Rocky Forge wind farm in Botetourt County, developed by Apex Clean Energy.
Appalachian Power will host a public open house meeting at Read Mountain Middle School from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday to address community questions and concerns regarding the project's impact, such as potential noise, construction traffic, and road closures. Last week, Appalachian Power also issued three requests for proposals for over 1 GW of wind, solar, hydropower, and geothermal resources.