Oregon's data centers consume nearly a quarter of state's power, study shows

A new report reveals that data centers in Oregon consume nearly 25% of the state's electricity, highlighting their significant energy demand. The study, conducted by ECOnorthwest and the University of Virginia, found that 111 operational data centers in the state use 22.1 million square feet of space and account for 23% of Oregon's retail energy sales in 2025. Additionally, 32 more data centers are under construction or in planning, adding 6.9 million square feet. The report predicts that data center energy use will reach nearly 25 terawatt hours by 2030, equivalent to the energy consumption of 2.5 million homes. The researchers emphasize the need for new electricity resources and infrastructure planning to accommodate this growth. The study was funded by the Lemelson Foundation, a nonprofit based in Portland. The report also notes that data centers directly employ 2,630 workers. The report underscores the increasing electricity demand from data centers, stating that regional and state-level planning efforts indicate the need for new infrastructure to support this growth. The findings raise concerns about the environmental impact and energy demands of the data center industry, particularly as AI-driven technologies continue to expand.