What distinguishes data centers from other large businesses is their significant electricity consumption. These facilities run 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Servers must remain online constantly, which means power must be reliable every minute of every day.

For electric cooperatives like Pee Dee Electric, powering data centers creates both opportunities and challenges.

On the positive side, data centers have the potential to bring steady, long-term load growth that helps spread fixed costs across more energy sales, strengthening the cooperative’s finances and helping keep rates affordable for all members. With proper planning and policy support, the
system upgrades required to serve large loads – such as new substations, stronger lines and advanced grid technology – can also improve outage resilience, shorten restoration times and strengthen the system during storms and periods of extreme weather, benefiting all Pee Dee Electric members.

At the same time, providing power to data centers presents significant challenges. While these facilities can be constructed and operational in as little as one year, the infrastructure, equipment and power supply needed to serve them often require longer lead times and significant financial investment. Strategic planning, strong partnerships and long-term power supply strategies are essential.

My commitment, along with that of Pee Dee Electric’s Board of Directors and employees, is to continue listening, communicating, and working with our members and community partners so every decision reflects the best interests of the people we serve.

Although Pee Dee Electric does not currently serve any data centers, electric cooperatives nationwide are receiving requests and inquiries from technology companies, and we anticipate similar interest in the not-too-distant future.

As a member-owned cooperative, our responsibility is twofold: to listen to the communities we serve and to provide reliable, affordable electric service to all Pee Dee Electric members. Balancing those responsibilities is not always simple, particularly as new large-scale energy users, such as data centers, become part of the local landscape.

No matter what the future holds, our priority will be supporting growth with fairness, ensuring that large-scale energy users pay their fair share so residential members are protected from cost shifts and only pay for the system they actually use.

The energy landscape is evolving, bringing both opportunities and complexity. My commitment, along with that of Pee Dee Electric’s Board of Directors and employees, is to continue listening, communicating, and working with our members and community partners so every decision reflects the best interests of the people we serve. We will evaluate every major decision through one simple question: Does it improve reliability, affordability, and long-term value for our members?

If you have questions or concerns regarding data centers, your energy bills, or any cooperative matter, we encourage you to stay engaged and reach out.

Your voice matters at Pee Dee Electric.

Warm regards,

Jordan Hildreth
Chief Executive Officer