Trending:US tariffs on IranIndia-US trade talksUnion Budget 2026Bangladesh T20 World Cup rowMinnesota sues Trump administrationFlipperachi India tourAI boom triggers energy clash between Big Tech and US grid operatorsFP Tech Desk • January 13, 2026, 13:41:50 ISTWhatsapp Facebook TwitterSoaring AI data centre demand is overwhelming US power grids, sparking a clash between Big Tech and grid operators over energy access and reliability. AdvertisementSubscribe Join Us+ Follow us On GoogleChoose Firstpost on GooglePower tussle between Big Tech and US grids (Photo: Reuters)As the global race for artificial intelligence accelerates, Big Tech’s growing appetite for power is triggering a high-stakes showdown with America’s electricity grid operators. Tech giants are requesting hundreds of gigawatts of additional capacity to fuel data centres, the infrastructure at the heart of the AI boom, but ageing grid systems and lagging investments are creating unprecedented tensions. Operators of US power grids are struggling to accommodate the massive energy needs of hyperscale data centres, reported Wall Street Journal. These facilities, which run cloud computing and AI training systems, demand continuous and enormous electricity loads, but the existing grid cannot keep up. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADA new kind of power struggleTo bridge the gap, grid operators are asking companies such as Microsoft, Amazon, and Google to either bring their own energy sources or agree to conditional connections. One option being floated is “bring your own generation,” where companies must pair their data centres with dedicated power sources, such as small natural gas plants, renewables, or even nuclear microreactors, instead of relying solely on the public grid. More from Tech Meta to slash over 1,500 roles this week amid fresh round of layoffs Apple teams up with Google to power its AI-driven SiriAnother controversial proposal allows tech giants to connect early, but with strings attached, their data centres could be temporarily disconnected from the grid during times of extreme demand to prevent blackouts. The standoff is particularly intense in areas under PJM Interconnection, the regional grid operator serving parts of 13 US states including Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Ohio, as well as in Texas under ERCOT and regions managed by the Southwest Power Pool (SPP). These regions have become the epicentres of data centre development, driven by access to cheap land and relatively low electricity costs. But with proposed data centre demand far exceeding current grid capacity, operators say they must prioritise grid reliability over rapid expansion. Quick ReadsView AlliPhone 17 to get a big price drop, here’s how you can buy it for Rs 74,999Young people are lonely in China. Now, there’s the ‘Are You Dead’ app for themBig Tech pushes backTech firms, however, are pushing back against the idea of being cut off, even temporarily.
