The massive electricity required by data centers is typically provided by a combination of traditional utility companies, renewable energy providers, and specialized energy suppliers. Some of the major companies and sectors involved include:
1. Traditional Utility Companies
- NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE): One of the largest electric utility companies in the U.S., NextEra provides power to many regions where data centers are located. It is also a leader in renewable energy, supplying clean energy solutions to data centers aiming to reduce their carbon footprints.
- Duke Energy Corporation (DUK): A major utility company in the U.S., Duke Energy supplies electricity to several key data center hubs, including North Carolina and Virginia, which are home to many large data centers.
- Southern Company (SO): Another large utility provider in the U.S., Southern Company supplies power across the southeastern U.S., a region that hosts numerous data centers.
2. Renewable Energy Providers
- Ørsted A/S: A global leader in offshore wind energy, Ørsted supplies renewable energy to various sectors, including data centers. Large data centers increasingly seek to power their operations with renewable energy, and companies like Ørsted play a significant role in this transition.
- Iberdrola (IBE): A Spanish multinational electric utility company, Iberdrola is a major producer of wind energy and supplies renewable power to data centers in Europe and beyond.
3. Energy-as-a-Service Providers
- Engie SA (ENGI): Engie is a global energy group that provides electricity and energy services, including to data centers. The company is heavily invested in renewable energy and offers tailored energy solutions for large-scale energy consumers like data centers.
- Schneider Electric SE (SU): While primarily known for its energy management and automation solutions, Schneider Electric also provides energy services and infrastructure solutions to data centers, helping them optimize energy use and increase efficiency.
4. Specialized Data Center Energy Providers
- Enel Green Power: A division of the Italian multinational Enel Group, Enel Green Power specializes in renewable energy production. It supplies green energy to data centers aiming to reduce their environmental impact.
- Iron Mountain (IRM): Though primarily a data management and storage company, Iron Mountain also operates data centers that are powered by renewable energy. They have secured power purchase agreements (PPAs) for renewable energy to meet their energy needs.
5. On-Site Renewable Energy Generation
- Google (Alphabet Inc.): Google is notable for investing in on-site renewable energy generation for its data centers, including solar panels and wind farms. This approach helps Google meet its goal of operating on 100% renewable energy.
- Amazon Web Services (AWS): AWS has invested heavily in on-site renewable energy projects, including solar and wind farms, to power its data centers and achieve sustainability goals.
Role of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)
Many large data centers also enter into Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with renewable energy providers to secure a long-term supply of green energy. This strategy allows them to lock in energy prices and reduce their carbon footprints by directly funding the development of renewable energy projects.
These energy providers play a crucial role in ensuring that data centers have the reliable, high-capacity electricity they need to operate 24/7, with an increasing focus on sustainability and renewable energy sources.
Here’s a list of the companies mentioned that are publicly traded on stock markets:
Traditional Utility Companies
NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE)
- Exchange: NYSE
- Ticker: NEE
Duke Energy Corporation (DUK)
- Exchange: NYSE
- Ticker: DUK
Southern Company (SO)
- Exchange: NYSE
- Ticker: SO
Renewable Energy Providers
Ørsted A/S
- Exchange: Copenhagen Stock Exchange
- Ticker: ORSTED (or ORHE in some listings)
Iberdrola (IBE)
- Exchange: Madrid Stock Exchange
- Ticker: IBE
Energy-as-a-Service Providers
Engie SA (ENGI)
- Exchange: Euronext Paris
- Ticker: ENGI
Schneider Electric SE (SU)
- Exchange: Euronext Paris
- Ticker: SU
Specialized Data Center Energy Providers
Enel S.p.A. (ENEL)
- Exchange: Borsa Italiana (Milan Stock Exchange)
- Ticker: ENEL
Iron Mountain (IRM)
- Exchange: NYSE
- Ticker: IRM
Editors notes:
Hydrogen power may eventually power some of these entities as well!
Plug Power and Bloom Energy are leading that charge!
Nuclear power also cannot be ruled out as companies like Nano Nuclear, NNE, are intent on powering enterprises with small reactors not much bigger than a Generac.
