Hyperscaler offtakers - massive data users such as cloud providers and AI companies - are shaping the future of energy infrastructure. Their primary goal is clear: maximize compute power as quickly and efficiently as possible. While cost and sustainability are important, their overriding priorities are scale and speed. This focus is driving innovation in data center energy solutions, particularly for training-focused centers that allow geographic flexibility.

Key Facts About Hyperscaler Needs

1. Unprecedented Scale Requirements: The scale of energy demands for hyperscalers is staggering. Training and inference datacenters combined will require an estimated 30–300 GW of energy by 2030, with training datacenters representing roughly half of that growth. For context, a single hyperscaler cluster can demand 500 MW or more within a 10-mile radius—equivalent to powering a mid-sized city. Minimum individual site sizes often exceed 100 MW, reflecting the hyperscalers' insatiable appetite for power.
   

2. Speed as a Critical Factor: Time is money, especially in the AI space. Hyperscalers prioritize speed above all else, often favoring colocated natural gas plants when grid capacity cannot meet demand quickly enough. While clean energy is desirable, hyperscalers consistently choose the fastest deployment option, knowing that any downtime can translate directly into lost computational output—and wasted GPU investments.
   

3. Cost and Risk Management: While energy cost targets hover around $100/MWh, energy expenses remain just one piece of the puzzle, typically representing less than 50% of total datacenter costs. However, managing time risk and cost predictability are equally critical. Buyers weigh options based on their ability to deliver consistent, scalable power without delays, balancing these factors against potential emissions trade-offs.

So What? Key Takeaways for Stakeholders

For energy providers, land developers, and policymakers aiming to attract hyperscaler investments, the message is clear: prioritize speed and scale in your offerings.

• Accelerate permitting and development timelines: Hyperscalers will not wait for protracted regulatory approvals or delayed grid connections.

• Cluster capacity is king: Invest in regional energy hubs capable of delivering high-density power to training data centers.

• Offer solutions that balance reliability and cost: While speed dominates, hyperscalers value predictable energy partnerships that minimize both risks and costs over time.

Clean energy proponents have a unique opportunity: while emissions intensity is a secondary consideration, the hyperscaler industry’s long-term social license depends on addressing sustainability concerns. Fast-tracking clean energy solutions that align with hyperscaler priorities could create win-win scenarios for growth and climate action.