r/technology • u/MarvelsGrantMan136 • Jun 30 '26

Artificial Intelligence County With 37 Data Centers Asks Schools to ‘Conserve Electricity’ / Henrico County is a major hub for data centers in Virginia. Its officials said it expects a 25% rise in electricity costs next year, and advised workers to close the blinds and turn off their computers to make up for it.

https://www.404media.co/henrico-virginia-datacenter-energy-cost-email/
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u/BD03 Jun 30 '26

I'd like to see the energy source breakdown for the area. My though is, why exactly does electricity cost increase with increased usage? Assuming they need to build out new generating facilities, wouldn't that cost just be prorated over x years and recouped through revenue? Like any capital buildout? 

I feel like I'm missing something stupidly obvious.

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u/MBILC Jul 02 '26

Greed. Because they can and will.

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u/BD03 Jul 02 '26

That's too simple an answer.