Data centers pose a myriad of challenges for Nevada’s policymakers. Significantly expanded demand for electricity threatens electric utilities’ ability to reduce the greenhouse gas pollution that causes climate change; water demands for cooling may strain scarce water supplies; and new costs and economic risks may be imposed on other electric customers.
It’s clear more data center developers are eyeing Nevada as an attractive state to build new facilities. For Nevada Energy (NVE), large-load customers have requested approximately 7,600 megawatts of capacity additions across the state between now and 2033; almost all the new requests are due to 12 data center projects.
Systemwide, NVE forecasts its annual energy demands will be 34% higher in 2035. For northern Nevada, the numbers are staggering: Sierra Pacific Power Company, NVE’s northern utility, projects an annual energy demand increase of 64% from 2023 to 2030 and more than double between 2023 and 2045. This rapid increase will cause an estimated systemwide 53% increase in greenhouse gas emissions and 3.2 million additional tons of greenhouse gas pollution between 2030 and 2035 if served by fossil fuels.
Beyond energy demands, we estimate the new water demands associated with cooling data centers in Nevada could be 1.2 billion gallons per year in 2035 — enough water to support up to 22,000 people.
Please join us for our upcoming webinar, Data Center Impacts in Nevada: Policy Solutions for Water and Energy Use on Thursday, October 16 at 11 a.m. PST. We will present the problem and recommend smart policies for mitigating these impacts.
In the webinar, experts from WRA:
- Present a summary of the electricity demand forecast for data centers in Nevada.
- Highlight the potential impacts to power bills and of new water demand from this data center demand growth.
- Provide policy frameworks for protecting Nevada families and businesses, ensuring water resources are conserved and encouraging investment in clean, innovative technologies.
- Field questions from attendees on the opportunities and challenges in Nevada to implementing these policies.
With the right policies in place, data centers can catalyze investments in innovative clean energy resources while driving broader system transformation.
Panelists
Deborah Kapiloff
Policy Advisor
As a clean energy policy advisor at Western Resource Advocates, Deborah Kapiloff advocates for policies and programs that reduce emissions in the power and transportation sectors, focusing on decarbonizing utilities throughout the Interior West and accelerating transportation electrification.
George Cavros
Nevada Clean Energy Manager | Senior Attorney
George represents the organization in proceedings before the Public Utility Commission of Nevada and works with utilities, regulators, and energy coalition partners to advocate for changes that will help decarbonize the energy, transportation, and building sectors throughout the state.
Emily Walsh
Policy Advisor
Emily Walsh develops and advances equitable legislative, administrative, and local policy solutions that move the region toward a clean energy economy and address climate change in Nevada. Her position involves working to shape state and local energy policy and increase the state’s participation in global climate change solutions.
