The proliferation of data centers is fueling a growing demand for electricity in Virginia and Dominion Energy is making plans to increase capacity.
“To meet this increased demand, 20 miles of existing single-circuit 230 kilovolt (kV) electric transmission line between our Charlottesville and Gordonsville substations needs to be rebuilt and reconductored as double-circuit 230kV structures,” reads an information release sent out February 12 by the Charlottesville Department of Public Works.
The second verb toward the end of that sentence is not a typo and refers to a specific process.
“Reconductoring is the process of replacing existing overhead power lines with new conductors that have greater capacity without altering the original transmission tower structure,” reads a definition on a website called the Sustainability Directory. “This technique increases the electrical current capacity of existing transmission corridors, enabling greater power transfer, which is essential for integrating geographically dispersed renewable energy sources into the existing grid infrastructure.”
The project needs the approval of the State Corporation Commission and Dominion Energy intends to put their application in soon. One meeting was held in Gordonsville on February 25 and another will be held Tuesday at 5 p.m. at the Courtyard Marriott Charlottesville University Medical Center from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Learn more about the project on Dominion’s website.
Before you go: Paid subscribers cover the cost of conducting research for this article which was originally published in the February 13, 2026 edition of Charlottesville Community Engagement. You can either subscribe through Substack or make a charitable contribution. The goal of Town Crier Productions is to increase awareness about what is happening at the local, regional, state, and federal government levels. Please share the work with others if you want people to know things!
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