Dominion Energy Plans $183 Billion Expansion Amid Data Center Boom
Dominion Energy is proposing more than $183 billion in generation, transmission and storage investments to meet rising electricity demand, including demand from data centers. The plan includes solar, offshore wind, nuclear power and other carbon-free resources, while using long-term contracts to protect ratepayers from stranded data center infrastructure costs.
Dominion Energy has outlined a proposed $183 billion expansion of its power system, including more than $91 billion in construction costs. The plan would add more than 39 gigawatts of generation and storage capacity, with projects involving solar, offshore wind, nuclear power and other carbon-free resources, alongside transmission and environmental-compliance investments.
The utility said growing data center demand and new connections expected through 2031 are driving the need to expand generation and maintain grid reliability. Dominion said data centers in its retail service territory are already under contract and would be required to sign 14-year agreements with minimum payments, protections intended to prevent residential customers from paying for infrastructure built specifically for facilities that later fail to materialize. The company also said the plan could reduce reliance on power purchased from neighboring markets, although increased demand has already contributed to higher costs for ratepayers.