RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- As 2025 comes to a close, one thing is clear -- data center proposals have boomed in Central Virginia. Virginia is home to more than 35% of the globe's data centers, with roughly 150 facilities, and is considered the data center capital of the world. The facilities typica lly house multiple computer servers, data storage devices, and network equipment that all require a vast amount of energy to power. Northern Virginia has long been considered the largest data center hub in the state, but as space fills up, many such facilities have continued to crop up further south, in Central Virginia. Chesterfield, Henrico, Hanover, Caroline, Goochland and Powhatan counties have been the sites for newer proposed data centers in Central Virginia, to name a few. According to real estate firm Avison Young's U.S. Data Center Update for the second quarter of 2025, the Richmond area's total data center inventory, specifically, increased more than sevenfold in the first half of 2025. In fact, the Richmond area surpassed the Dallas/Fort Worth area, which ranked second in the U.S. in that time period, by nearly double the amount of data center inventory increases. (Approximated data from Avison Young) These developments, however prevalent, have not been met without pushback, as residents in several Central Virginia localities have repeatedly voiced their concerns regarding proposed data centers' noise levels, water usage and emissions. In addition to citizens' concerns, the independent watchdog that oversees the operator of the regional energy grid, including Virginia, submitted a complaint to the federal government that urged a halt to the connection of new data centers to the grid, citing signs that there is not enough capacity. The watchdog further said in the complaint that if these data centers were connected at the current capacity, it would require blackouts at both data centers and for other customers. The dispute among organizations and entities is currently ongoing, with no word yet from the federal government regarding a ruling. In addition, the subsequent concern of high energy demands by data centers has been increased costs trickling down to residents, which has already begun. To continue following updates regarding these controversial facilities throughout the new year, click here. ...read more read less