EIA launches pilot survey on energy use at data centers

U.S. ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON DC 20585

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 25, 2026

EIA launches pilot survey on energy use at data centers

EIA is launching three voluntary pilot field studies to evaluate energy consumption in data centers, with web-based pilot surveys in Texas and Washington state as well as in-person interviews in Northern Virginia and Washington, DC.

EIA identified 196 companies operating data centers across Texas, Washington state, and the Northern Virginia-DC region. Each company will be asked to report on the energy use of at least one data center in the targeted region. The questionnaire will cover energy sources, electricity consumption, site characteristics, server metrics, and cooling systems.

"A tremendous amount of excellent work goes into our retrospective consumption surveys, but they were conceived decades ago. Going forward, that excellent work will be geared toward faster cycles and finer detail," EIA Administrator Tristan Abbey said.

Background
Administrator Abbey is prioritizing data collection efforts in our rapidly evolving energy sector. In February, EIA launched three voluntary pilot field studies to assess the feasibility of collecting data on graphite, vanadium, and zirconium, all of which are minerals critical to the energy sector. Graphite is used in batteries and advanced manufacturing; Vanadium is extracted in petroleum refining; and zirconium is used for nuclear fuel cladding.

EIA is also in early-stage planning for pilot field studies in other areas of the energy economy, including the nuclear sector.

EIA Program Contact: Kenneth Pick, [email protected]
EIA Press Contact: Morgan Butterfield, [email protected]