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Stargate AI Venture to Use Solar, Batteries for Data Centers

Author

Alicia Shapiro
January 27, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes

A futuristic solar farm with rows of large, sleek solar panels powering a network of AI-driven data centers. The data centers are modular structures, glowing with blue and white lights, symbolizing advanced AI applications like Stargate. Surrounding the data centers are battery storage units for renewable energy storage, emphasizing sustainability. In the background, vast solar arrays stretch into the horizon under a bright, sunny sky, highlighting scalability and clean energy. The overall design blends renewable energy technology with cutting-edge AI infrastructure.

Image Source: ChatGPT-4o

Stargate AI Venture to Use Solar, Batteries for Data Centers

The $100 billion Stargate project—a joint venture between OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank Group—will rely on solar and battery power for part of its energy needs. The renewable installations will be developed by SoftBank-backed SB Energy, according to Bloomberg. Stargate aims to build a network of data centers to power advanced artificial intelligence applications.

Renewable Energy at the Core

Solar Power and Batteries:

  • Solar installations will be developed to power Stargate data centers, with batteries for storage.

  • Solar is considered faster and more modular compared to nuclear or natural gas plants, with typical completion times averaging 18 months.

Energy Independence:

  • Many data centers could bypass the need for grid interconnection, taking power directly from renewable sources.

  • Given Stargate’s urgency, expedited permitting may further accelerate solar deployment.

Rising Energy Demand in the AI Era

Energy Crunch:

  • Data centers could consume 12% of U.S. electricity by 2028, up from 4.4% in 2023, per the U.S. Department of Energy.

  • A growing energy shortfall could leave 50% of new data centers underpowered by 2027.

Competition for Resources:

Stargate isn’t alone in the race for energy solutions.

  • Google signed a 500 MW deal with nuclear startup Kairos.

  • Microsoft is restarting a reactor at Three Mile Island.

  • Switch partnered with Oklo, a Sam Altman-backed modular reactor company, for 12 GW of nuclear capacity.

Why Solar?

  • Speed and Scalability: Solar projects can be built in half the time of nuclear or natural gas plants, offering quicker access to power.

  • Flexibility: Their modular design allows some power generation to begin before the full project is complete.

  • Challenges Overcome: Though permitting and interconnection can delay solar projects, direct connections to data centers could mitigate these obstacles.

Looking Ahead

Stargate’s focus on renewable energy signals a shift in how tech giants approach the challenges of powering the AI revolution. By prioritizing modular, scalable energy sources like solar and batteries, Stargate aims to stay ahead of the growing demand for data center power. While nuclear may play a role in future data centers, its longer development timelines make solar a more viable solution in the near term.

The success of Stargate could set a new standard for AI infrastructure, blending innovation in both technology and sustainability.

Editor’s Note: This article was created by Alicia Shapiro, CMO of AiNews.com, with writing, image, and idea-generation support from ChatGPT, an AI assistant. However, the final perspective and editorial choices are solely Alicia Shapiro’s. Special thanks to ChatGPT for assistance with research and editorial support in crafting this article.