Equinix, a global digital infrastructure company, announced that it is collaborating with energy companies developing new approaches to generating reliable and sustainable electricity to support the power needs of its data centres worldwide.
The initiative is part of Equinix’s broader strategy to diversify its energy portfolio by combining traditional arrangements with utilities, on-site generation technologies, and the exploration of emerging nuclear energy solutions.
The International Energy Agency has reported that global electricity consumption is expected to rise by 4 per cent annually through 2027, representing the fastest pace in recent years.
This growth is being driven by increased electrification, the expansion of data centres linked to AI, and a resurgence in industrial manufacturing.
Such demand is placing pressure on utilities to generate sufficient power and on ageing grids to distribute it, making new sources of electricity essential.
Equinix has stated that it is supporting advanced transmission system upgrades with utility partners, including the construction of new substations to improve grid reliability, alongside backup solutions designed to benefit all users during interruptions.
The company is also investing in on-site power technologies such as fuel cells and natural gas, and is backing the development of advanced nuclear technologies that could provide reliable and low-carbon energy in the future.
“Access to round-the-clock electricity is critical to support the infrastructure that powers everything from AI-driven drug discovery to cloud-based video streaming,”
said Raouf Abdel, Executive Vice President of Global Operations at Equinix.
“As energy demand increases, we believe we have an opportunity and responsibility to support the development of reliable, sustainable, scalable energy infrastructure that can support our collective future. By working with our energy partners, we believe we can support the energy needs of our customers and communities around the world by helping to strengthen the grid and investing in new energy sources.”
Equinix has entered into agreements with several nuclear energy developers.
In 2024, it became the first data centre operator to sign an agreement with a small modular reactor company, securing 500MW of energy from Oklo’s Aurora reactors, which can be fuelled by nuclear waste.
It has also pre-ordered 20 Kaleidos microreactors from Radiant, designed to be transportable, rapidly installed, and integrated with on-site infrastructure.
A Letter of Intent has been signed with ULC-Energy in the Netherlands for up to 250 MWe from Rolls-Royce small modular reactors.
In addition, Equinix has agreed to a 500 MWe pre-order with Stellaria, a company developing molten salt Breed and Burn reactors capable of breeding and recycling fuel within the reactor itself.
Alongside nuclear technologies, Equinix has expanded its use of advanced fuel cells.
The company has been working with Bloom Energy for more than a decade and has extended this partnership to deploy over 100MW of solid oxide fuel cells across 19 data centres in six US states.
Equinix has reported that this has allowed it to avoid 285,000 metric tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions and significant water use associated with traditional generation.
Equinix has stated that it remains committed to sourcing 100 per cent clean and renewable energy across its portfolio by 2030.
It achieved 96% renewable coverage globally in 2024, with 250 sites fully powered by renewable energy.
The company has also adopted the ASHRAE A1 Allowable standards at new sites since 2022, allowing for wider temperature ranges that reduce cooling-related energy use without affecting performance.
In 2023, it announced plans to expand liquid cooling technologies such as direct-to-chip at over 100 data centres in 45 metropolitan areas worldwide.
Featured image credit: Equinix
