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Board backs letter supporting proposed underground HVDC line and asks consultant analysis on moving power to Data Center Alley
Summary
The Board voted to send a support letter for Dominion’s proposed largely‑underground HVDC transmission project into the Mosby substation and directed staff to expand the county’s consultant scope to study engineering and cost options for routing HVDC power from Mosby to data‑center load centers; the actions passed after extended debate.
On Dec. 2 the Board authorized (1) a letter of support to PJM Interconnection and Dominion Energy Virginia for a proposed mostly‑underground high‑voltage DC (HVDC) transmission proposal that would terminate at Mosby substation, and (2) a tasking for county staff to request a scope and fee from the County’s existing electrical‑infrastructure consultant to study options to move HVDC capacity from Mosby toward “Data Center Alley.”
Vice Chair Turner described the HVDC line as a potential way to add large amounts of transmission capacity underground rather than adding multiple overhead AC circuits. He told the Board the alternative to bringing in HVDC would likely be more overhead HVAC transmission lines. “Why in the world would we not support bringing more power into Loudoun County underground?” he asked.
The Board debated technical and fiscal questions — including the comparative costs of undergrounding long HVDC and HVAC lines, potential ratepayer effects, and how any new line would connect to existing infrastructure close to data centers. County staff said Dominion’s project proposal to PJM stated an intention to construct a primarily underground DC line from near Lake Anna to Mosby; staff committed to ask Dominion for additional detail about how they expect to distribute power from the Mosby terminus. The Board also asked the consultant to address undergrounding techniques, ductbank configurations and cost estimates, system integration with renewables and storage, regulatory requirements, and the feasibility of large customers converting to DC power.
The first part of the board motion (letter of support) passed; the Board also approved the consultant scope request and directed staff to return with cost and scope proposals.
