Almost 10% of all U.S. electricity is sent across state lines in the lower 48. Twenty-five states produce more electricity than they consume and export electricity to states where consumption exceeds supply. Virginia imports 36% of the electricity used in the state, making it the largest electricity importer in the continental U.S. Due to all the data centers being built, the increase in the demand for electricity in Virginia will be twice the increase predicted for the rest of the country. In fact, unconstrained demand for power in Virginia could double within the next 10 years.
Virginia now imports 40% of our power needs versus 18% in 2020, and the cost of imported power is 10 times higher than it was during the previous year, but half of solar projects proposed in Virginia were rejected or withdrawn.
Virginia Tops California as Nation’s #1 Electricity Importer Virginia Solar Summit Blog