Current Status Overview
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181
Data Centers in ~30 sq miles
Loudoun County has 181 data centers concentrated in approximately 30 square miles of eastern Loudoun
65%
of World's Internet Traffic
In 2021, the county hosted 70% of the world's internet traffic (current estimates place that figure at 65%)
340%
Power Growth (2018-2023)
Power consumption has grown from 1 GW in 2018 to 3.4 GW in 2023 (340% increase)
13M → 32M
Square Feet (2018-2023)
Data center square footage increased from 13 million sq. ft. in 2018 to 32 million sq. ft. in 2023.
Key Timeline Events
2022
PJM informed Dominion Energy of underestimated power needs, creating a "constrained area" until 2027
March 2024
Board denied its first major data center application (later approved at reduced size)
Main Challenges Identified
- The electrical grid is significantly oversubscribed
- Planned transmission line construction will likely lag behind demand
- Rising demand may slow retirement of fossil fuel plants
- Increasing community resistance to overhead transmission lines and data centers near residential areas
AI Impact on Power Consumption
10-14 kW
Traditional Rack Power
Traditional data center racks consume 10-14 kW of power.
40-60 kW
AI Rack Power
AI-focused data center racks consume 40-60 kW of power.
6x
Increase Factor
AI applications increase rack power consumption from 10-14 kW to 40-60 kW (up to sixfold increase)
Proposed Solutions
- Short-term: Increase transmission capacity through reconductoring and High Voltage Direct Current lines
- Long-term: Require/incentivize onsite carbon-net-zero power production through microgrids
- Create performance standards for new data centers
- Establish a Green Business Development Zone with tax incentives for retrofitting existing facilities
Economic Impact
$895M
Tax Revenue FY2025
Data centers provide approximately $895M in tax revenue for FY2025
$940M
County Operating Budget
County's operating budget is $940M
$0.04
Cost per $1 Tax Revenue
Data centers cost the county $0.04 per $1 of tax revenue vs. $0.25 for normal businesses
$0.25
Normal Business Cost / $1 Tax Rev.
Data centers cost the county $0.04 per $1 of tax revenue vs. $0.25 for normal businesses
Critical Decision Point
Loudoun County faces a choice between continuing the traditional power delivery model (resulting in proliferating overhead transmission lines) or transitioning to a new paradigm of onsite, sustainable power generation for data centers.