Big Tech Enters Energy Trading to Manage AI-Driven Power Demand
Tech giants are establishing energy trading desks as artificial intelligence infrastructure dramatically increases electricity consumption. Meta, Microsoft, and Apple have secured Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approval to trade wholesale power, while Disney recently posted a job listing for an energy trader.
The AI boom is projected to increase data center energy demands five to tenfold within a decade. Companies face mounting pressure to secure reliable power supplies at stable prices. Utilities are pushing for stricter contracts, requiring upfront commitments for power capacity that may exceed actual usage.
Grid Strategies' Rob Gramlich notes that trading desks help corporations hedge against volatile energy markets. The shift reflects how AI's exponential growth is reshaping not just technology, but fundamental infrastructure economics.
