Starting from July 1st, the electricity bills for government offices and school buildings suddenly skyrocketed by 24.9 percent (approximately 25 percent).
Because of this, John V. Stipes, county manager for Henry County in the United States, urgently requested all government school employees and county employees to reduce electricity consumption as quickly as possible.
Due to these surging electricity costs, the county's annual electricity expenses are expected to increase by approximately 5 million US dollars.
Therefore, employees have been strictly instructed to turn off unused lights, unplug charging cables, shut down computers, set air conditioning thermostats to lower levels, and avoid using room heaters.
The culprit behind these unusually high electricity bills is the rapidly growing data centers that have never been seen before in Virginia.
These data centers consume electricity in massive quantities like water flowing from a pipe. Currently, there are over 400 data centers throughout Virginia state, and 37 of these data centers are located within Henry County alone.
According to those responsible for electricity supply lines, the rising electricity demand caused by data centers is unprecedented, equipment fuel costs are increasing, they are bearing the burden of upgrading electricity supply lines, and they are making large capital investments in infrastructure. These factors are causing the electricity shortage and inability to supply power as it is today.
Ref: Technology Innovation
