This report begins with a discussion of recent trends in Virginia's electricity demand, including the effect of the coronavirus pandemic. Shobe then forecasts how Virginia's electricity demand will change through 2050, and discusses what will drive these changes. 

By far, the biggest contributor to these changes will be Virginia's increased data center use, which will drive a 38% increase in electricity sales by 2035. Even before considering the likely shift to electric vehicles, by 2050, electricity sales will increase by at least 56%. With electric vehicles included, electricity demand is likely to grow by more than 78% by 2050. Efforts to decarbonize the state's economy could result in even greater growth in electricity demand by 2050.