AI’s Power Hunger Is Pulling Big Tech Into Energy

Rising demand from artificial intelligence is pushing technology groups to pair data centres with dedicated clean energy and storage

12 Jan 2026

A shift is taking shape in the US energy system as large technology groups move closer to the infrastructure that powers their expansion. Rapid growth in artificial intelligence and cloud computing is forcing companies to secure electricity more directly, tightening the link between digital growth and energy supply.

The change became clearer in early 2026, when OpenAI and SoftBank committed a combined $1bn to projects developed by SB Energy. The backing focuses on large data centre campuses built alongside renewable generation and battery storage, rather than on standalone power plants. The aim is not to operate utilities, but to guarantee long-term access to reliable electricity for energy-intensive computing.

The planned developments are large by any standard. SB Energy has outlined multi-gigawatt campuses, starting with a 1.2 gigawatt facility in Texas. Projects of this scale underline how quickly power demand from data centres is rising, as artificial intelligence models, cloud services and digital platforms expand. Public forecasts point to sharp growth in electricity use, adding pressure to regional grids that are already stretched.

For OpenAI, the logic is straightforward. Advanced computing requires stable and predictable power, while delays in grid connections can hold back new capacity for years. By supporting integrated energy and data centre projects, the company reduces uncertainty over timing and supply. SoftBank’s involvement reflects a similar long-term approach, backing infrastructure that links renewable power, storage and digital growth rather than buying conventional energy assets.

Analysts say the trend has wider implications. Utilities and grid operators typically plan generation and transmission years ahead, balancing regulation and the needs of many customers. When large users help fund their own integrated solutions, projects can move more quickly and draw capital to high-demand regions. But the approach also raises questions about coordination with grid planners and access for smaller users.

“This is a sign that electricity is becoming a growth constraint for the digital economy,” one energy analyst told Reuters. “Large users are no longer willing to rely solely on traditional timelines.”

Other technology groups are following similar paths. Meta and Google have expanded long-term commitments to renewable power and on-site energy to support data centre growth, pointing to a broader industry shift.

Environmental reviews, grid integration and concerns about crowding out smaller businesses remain challenges. Even so, the move suggests energy strategy is becoming a core part of digital expansion, rather than a secondary concern.