Where Loudoun County Gets Its Power
When you look around Loudoun County, you might be dazzled by the rows of businesses, shops, and homes buzzing with electricity. Loudoun County has a thriving agricultural economy, but it’s also a hub for small businesses. According to the county’s economic development authority, there are over 7,300 businesses here with fewer than 20 employees. The county is home to rolling vineyards, charming historic villages, gorgeous scenery, and a great way of life.
Loudoun County is also home to the world’s largest concentration of data processing centers. According to Loudoun County Economic Development, more than 70% of the world’s internet traffic passes through Loudoun’s digital infrastructure. These data centers have created well-paid jobs and contributed billions to Virginia’s economy.
They have also created a huge demand for electricity, and the county will continue building its electrical infrastructure to meet that demand.
The Early Days of Loudoun Electricity
It’s hard to believe, but Loudoun County did not become fully electrified until the 1950s. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Rural Electrification Act (REA) in 1935.
What Is a Rural Electrical Cooperative?
Rural electric cooperatives or energy cooperatives (RECs) are consumer-owned utilities. They typically exist in rural areas, where they generate energy and distribute energy. The REA created these cooperatives because investor-owned utilities didn’t find it profitable enough to serve rural, low-population areas. As a result, by the 1930s, 90% of city residents had electricity while 90% of rural farms had none.
The few families in rural areas who had electricity had to pay extremely high rates for it. This wasn’t possible for over 90% of Loudoun County farmers.
Recognizing that private energy companies were not ready to build the infrastructure and power lines in rural areas, the government created the cooperatives. The RECs made it possible for their members to buy power at wholesale prices and deliver it directly to consumers. They also ensured consistent service these farmers could count on.
In Loudoun County, farms that had operated by lamplight could finally enjoy the benefits of electrification.
Today, there are over 900 RECs that provide electricity to 40 million rural consumers. In Virginia, three rural electric cooperatives are still in operation. They are the Rappahannock, Northern Virginia and Shenandoah Valley cooperatives.
Where Does Loudoun’s Power Come From Now?
Today, Loudoun County gets its power from Dominion Energy and the Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC).
Data Centers Demand More Power
The county continues to grow as a data processing magnet. Loudoun County’s “Data Center Alley” is a major contributor to the region’s prosperity.
The Northern Virginia Technology Council notes that:
- The data services industry has created 21,995 jobs, $2.0 billion in wages, and $5.7 billion in economic output in Northern Virginia.
- The industry has had a positive economic impact on all regions of the state.
- Employment in this sector grew 6.7 times faster than the statewide norm. Wages grew 9.3 times faster.
In response to this important sector’s need for energy, Dominion Energy and NOVEC are planning to build new substations. According to some estimates, a typical data center consumes about the same amount of power as 7500 residential households.
Dominion operates 15 substations, and NOVEC operates 16. Of these substations, three are solely dedicated to the power needs of the county’s data centers. Both providers have plans to build more substations to serve these data centers.
Sources of Energy
According to the US Energy Information Administration, Virginia gets most of its power from coal and natural gas. The state has substantial energy resources in its rivers, forests, winds, fossil fuel, and uranium deposits.
Besides these sources, Virginia gets 3% of its power from its two nuclear power plants. Around 10% comes from renewable resources like biomass fuels and hydroelectric power.
SESCOS Keeps Up With Loudoun County
As long as Loudoun County continues growing, SESCOS will be here to help take care of the residents and businesses that call this county home. We have been here from the start, and we’ll be here when you need us. If you need help with your residential, commercial, or industrial electricity, contact us.