Oregon data centers by the numbers: 111 facilities consume nearly one-quarter of state’s power, according to new report
A new report by ECOnorthwest and the University of Virginia reveals that Oregon's 111 data centers are projected to consume nearly one-quarter of the state's retail electricity sales by 2025. The study, funded by the Lemelson Foundation, also notes 32 additional facilities are planned or under construction, and highlights significant gaps in data regarding their economic and environmental impacts. Local communities have begun to consider or implement moratoriums due to growing concerns.
A new report from ECOnorthwest and the University of Virginia, funded by the Portland-based nonprofit Lemelson Foundation, has for the first time quantified the data center industry's footprint in Oregon. Released Thursday, the report identifies 111 operational data centers totaling 22.1 million square feet, with an additional 32 facilities (6.9 million square feet) in the pipeline.
The study highlights that data centers are projected to consume approximately 23% of Oregon's retail electricity sales by 2025, a figure expected to rise to 31-32% by 2030. Terry Wirkkala, project director at ECOnorthwest, noted that the state effectively has two data center markets: a built-out eastern side dominated by hyperscale facilities, and a western side seeing future development of smaller, multi-tenant centers. While direct employment is modest (2,630 statewide), hyperscale data centers in Eastern Oregon, particularly Morrow County, employ over 10% of the local workforce.
A key finding indicates that Oregon's current electricity grid infrastructure is likely unprepared for the rising demand, necessitating new resources, transmission capacity, and coordinated planning. The report also pointed out significant gaps in available data on water use and other impacts, making comprehensive analysis difficult.
The researchers found that companies paid $60.2 million in property taxes in 2025, but tax abatements likely ranged from $230 million to $450 million. The report comes as data centers have become a contentious topic, with local communities considering or implementing moratoriums. João Ferreira, acting director at the University of Virginia's Weldon Cooper Center, collaborated on the study, noting similarities to Virginia's data center concentration.