Data-center grid delays stretch to 12 years as tech firms add wind, solar, batteries and natural gas

Supply chain snags, regulatory delays, energy generation shortages and other issues are holding up datacenters’ connections to the electric grid by as much as 12 years. The delays have pushed big tech companies to spend heavily on their own power sources, including battery storage, solar, wind and fuel cells.

The clean energy industry boomed in 2020 as the pandemic drove down interest rates and the Biden administration made historic investments in decarbonizing the nation.

It later faltered as inflation rose, projects grew expensive and energy demand stayed flat. The second Trump administration canceled government programs that had helped wind, solar, and electric vehicles. Most clean energy companies’ stocks steadily plummeted in value from their early 2021 peaks through early 2025.

The IShares Global Clean Energy ETF fell by around 80% between late 2021 and early 2025. The same ETF is up about 52% over the last year. Nextpower reported 20% year-over-year growth and recently purchased datacenter battery producer Prevalon.

Google developed the world’s largest grid-scale battery to power a datacenter in Minnesota and purchased an energy company to expand renewable development, including an off-the-grid center in Texas that will include wind, solar, batteries and gas. In Wisconsin, energy regulators are building about 15 wind or solar facilities to accommodate Microsoft and Oracle datacenters, though those projects also include some natural gas.

4 GW Oracle datacenter.

Bloom Energy announced plans to provide power to Oracle and is doubling its manufacturing capacity by the end of 2026. Bloom Energy’s stock is up 1,338% over the last year. “It is unquestionable that the increase in electricity sales is driving an increase in renewables,” said Douglas Jester, a clean energy consultant with 5 Lakes Energy who works in upper midwest utility regulatory cases.