Maryland Data Center Expansion Raises Concerns Over Electricity Demand Amid County Moratorium
Oppidan is seeking to nearly double the size of its Sandy Farms Data Center in Severn, Maryland, by adding over 88,000 square feet and a yard of 13 generators. This expansion plan comes as Anne Arundel County prepares to implement a moratorium on most new data center applications starting November 26, though expansions of existing facilities on adjacent land are exempt. The County Council passed Bill 63-26, effectively banning new applications until January 31, 2028, or until permanent rules are established. While the facility is air-cooled and uses minimal water, relying on public water and sewer, the expansion has raised pointed questions from neighbors regarding its electricity demands. There is concern about whether nearby electricity bills will rise or if new grid infrastructure will be required, especially given that regional data center demand has already contributed to keeping a Maryland coal plant operational until 2031. A county work group has ten months to recommend standards for data center sit...
