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On October 21, 2026, Trump proposed in a Truth Social post that newly built large data centers should generate their own power and sell surplus electricity back to the community or the grid. Data Center Knowledge reported on November 4 that Patrick Hughes of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) said a single AI data center can technically self-generate power, but 100% self-sufficiency with reliable 24/7 operation is unrealistic, and most facilities are more likely to adopt a hybrid approach combining on-site generation with energy storage and grid connection. The report also noted tight supplies of gas, nuclear and battery-related equipment, with some turbine models booked out to 2031, and cited the Stargate site in Abilene and Applied Digital's project in North Dakota as examples showing that existing projects are already combining multiple power sources.
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Trump demands data centers generate their own power; industry says hybrid power supply is more realisticDevelopments
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Nov 4
Data Center Knowledge
Trump demands data centers generate their own power; industry says hybrid power supply is more realistic
In an October 21 Truth Social post, Trump said that newly built large data centers should generate their own power and sell surplus electricity back to the community or the grid. NEMA's Patrick Hughes said that a single AI data center can technically self-generate power, but 100% self-sufficiency with reliable 24/7 operation is unrealistic, and most facilities are more likely to adopt a hybrid approach combining on-site generation, energy storage, and grid interconnection. The article also notes tight supplies of gas, nuclear, and battery-related equipment, with some turbine models booked out to 2031, and cites the Stargate site in Abilene and Applied Digital's project in North Dakota as examples showing that existing projects are already combining multiple power sources.