Virginia leads the nation in electricity imports from other states in 2023, surpassing California, as per a recent report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Despite being the 12th most populous state, Virginia has outpaced California in electricity importation, with California retaining its position as the most populous state. Virginia ranks 35th in terms of land size, while California is placed third in the same category.
This surge in energy demand in Virginia coincides with the state’s booming data center industry. Known as the data center capital of the world, Virginia is home to 70% of the global data center market.
In 2023, Virginia imported the highest amount of electricity from other states, totaling 50.1 million megawatthours (MWh), which accounts for 36% of the state’s total electricity supply. The report highlights that nearly 10% of the nation’s electricity generation is exchanged between states, with 25 states exceeding their consumption and relying on interstate transmission.
Conversely, Pennsylvania leads the nation in exporting electricity, with 83.4 million MWh, representing 26% of the power generated in the state. The Energy Information Administration calculates interstate electricity trade by subtracting retail sales, direct use, international exports, and estimated line losses from the total electricity generated.
The report emphasizes that states are not directly involved in operating electric power systems, as this responsibility lies with balancing authorities that oversee resource dispatching to meet demand and maintain generation schedules.
The discussion in Virginia revolves around the strain on energy sources due to the increasing number of data centers being constructed, with concerns raised about potential energy cost hikes for consumers. The energy landscape in Virginia and California has seen fluctuations, with Virginia’s interstate electricity receipts increasing while California’s have decreased in the past five years.
Rising demand in the commercial sector, particularly from data centers, is cited as a driving factor for the surge in interstate electricity receipts in Virginia. California’s decrease is attributed to a rise in solar installations and energy efficiency initiatives.
Following Virginia and California as top electricity importers are Massachusetts, Tennessee, and Georgia, while states trailing Pennsylvania as top electricity exporters include Alabama, Illinois, Wyoming, and Arizona. Pennsylvania, Alabama, and Illinois have consistently produced more electricity than consumed, with a capacity and resource mix heavily reliant on nuclear and natural gas plants.
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