Facts about what to expect from a data center in our community
Technology is changing faster than ever, and it’s shaping the way we live every day. Whether it’s staying connected with family and friends or having information at our fingertips, tools such as the internet and cloud storage have become essential parts of our daily routine. Artificial intelligence now even helps us make decisions.
Whether you are embracing these changes or not, they are always present in all that we do, and they require electricity to continue working. Our ever-increasing technology use has led to the development of data centers across the country to process all that computing. In 2023, local leaders announced that QTS Data Centers would be locating in our community.
Before the announcement was made over two years ago that QTS would be a York Electric Cooperative member, significant studies were completed to determine what would be needed to provide power to a data center, if the requested power would be available to serve the capacity they requested, the environmental impact and more—all at the cost of QTS.
Now that York Electric Cooperative will have QTS as a member, we want to be your source for information and provide you with the facts on what you can expect.
What is a data center?
A data center is a facility that stores, processes and manages digital information. This data is housed in servers within the data center. Some of these data centers can be devoted to single hyperscale companies such as Meta, Apple or Google. Or they can be co-location facilities where multiple businesses store, manage and process their vital data.
“We’re always looking out for you and appreciate the opportunity to serve all members, both large and small.”
Will a data center increase my electric rate?
No. Adding a data center to our membership helps to minimize the effects of future rate increases for our entire membership. Large, consistent energy loads such as data centers help stabilize demand, allowing YEC to purchase wholesale power more efficiently throughout the year, which helps keep rates lower for all members. Electric rates are primarily driven by power costs including fuel, inflation and new generation.
Will YEC members have to pay for the infrastructure to serve the data center?
No, YEC members are not sharing the burden of cost for the development and equipment required to serve the data center. Data centers, like the one we will serve, pay for all project infrastructure needed to get power to their facilities.
Why are co-ops like YEC serving data centers?
York Electric Cooperative does not specifically recruit data centers. As a distribution cooperative, we are committed to serve members within our service territory. When looking for places to locate data centers, developers zero in on locations with existing infrastructure, which this area already has established. Having infrastructure already in place significantly minimizes environmental and community disruption.
What does a data center mean for the future of my co-op?
Data centers are in nearly every state, and many are served by our nation’s electric cooperatives. Many times, the needed infrastructure updates and investments by data centers facilitate improved reliability and modernization of the power grid, ultimately benefitting our members.
Will the data center benefit our community?
This project offers many impactful benefits to the county’s residents. The QTS project is expected to attract further economic investments to our community and indirectly support job creation both in the short- and long-term. Furthermore, this project will offer substantial funding for local school districts through property taxes and help offset other countywide spending. The local investment this project will provide our area will help lower the tax burden on local citizens.
As your co-op, we hope that transparency about data centers and what you can expect as co-op members helps you stay informed with the facts. We’re always looking out for you and appreciate the opportunity to serve all members, both large and small.
President and Chief Executive Officer