AI’s Appetite: Can the Grid Keep Up?

October 21, 2025 

The United States is home to about 5,400 data centers, the most of any country. In a short timeframe, AI has exploded into an industry with trillions of dollars of market capitalization and venture capital at stake. The International Energy Agency estimates that market capitalization of AI-related firms in the S&P 500 has grown by around US $12 trillion since 2022. (Source: IEA)

The jump in demand has amplified requests for power generation and energy storage projects to connect to the grid. However, the overall growth has raised concerns that the US electric utility industry, known for slow and steady returns, will be unable to respond quickly to the rise in power demand because of a swelling backlog of power generation and transmission projects.

The electric grid is undergoing changes at a level not seen since the early 19th century. Planning and forecasting have become more complex and the challenge is daunting.

Because solar power is limited to daylight hours and wind generation depends on weather conditions, fossil fuels often fill the gaps in renewable supply, and data centers store energy in batteries to cope with short-term outages. When outages occur they are expensive. The Uptime Institute estimates more than two-thirds of data outages cost more than $100,000. The business case for investing in resiliency is becoming stronger. (Source: Uptime Institute)

Digital continuity depends on energy resilience. Data centers require strategic partners that combine technical innovation with global reach to support mission-critical infrastructure.