Data Centers Face Up to Seven-Year Delays for Power Hookups, Dominion Energy Reports

The surge in demand for data centers has caused massive delays in connecting them to the electric grid, according to Dominion Energy Inc. In a letter addressed to transmission systems and utilities, Dominion warned that large data centers requiring more than 100 megawatts of electricity might now face waiting times of up to seven years for a power connection. This is a significant increase from the previous maximum wait time of four years, signaling a growing infrastructure crisis.

Northern Virginia’s Data Center Alley, the world’s largest hub for these facilities, is especially affected. Utilities across the United States are grappling with this sharp spike in demand, straining the electric grid. Data centers are responsible for a growing portion of the load, powering AI computing, and the electrification of vehicles. The increased delay and demand will likely result in higher electricity prices and potential outages, making it even harder for new centers to meet energy needs efficiently.

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