U.S. President Donald Trump said he has told major technology companies to build their own power plants to support data centers and other energy needs. His comments highlight ongoing debates about U.S. energy policy and infrastructure.
Trump made the remarks this week during a speech in South Carolina, where he emphasized manufacturing, energy independence, and economic competitiveness. His comments were aimed at technology giants with large data center footprints, which require significant and reliable electricity supplies.
Trump Urges Tech Firms to Invest in Infrastructure
Reuters reported that Trump told business leaders and executives that big tech companies should think about building their own power plants to make sure they have reliable energy and are less dependent on the main grid. He said this would let tech companies have more control over their energy supply, especially as demand increases with more data processing and artificial intelligence.
Business Insider reported that Trump’s remarks were made in the context of promoting domestic energy production and reducing regulatory burdens. Trump pointed to the need for greater energy independence and resilience, saying that companies with the financial means should not be at the mercy of external grid pressures or potential interruptions.
Executives in attendance were said to have reacted positively, though some expressed caution about the scale and cost of developing dedicated power infrastructure. Building, owning, and operating power plants — whether fueled by fossil fuels, renewables, or other technologies — represents a significant investment and regulatory undertaking for corporations whose core expertise is technology, not energy production.
Data Centers and Power Demand
DataCenterDynamics noted that data centers are some of the most energy-hungry facilities run by private companies, using a lot of electricity for servers and cooling systems worldwide. As cloud computing and AI workloads grow, tech firms are looking for long-term, renewable, or dedicated energy sources to meet sustainability goals and keep services reliable.
Some tech companies already use power purchase agreements or develop renewable energy projects like solar and wind to offset their energy use and support their sustainability promises. But owning and running their own power plants would be a major change in how these companies manage energy.
Trump’s proposal addresses ongoing worries about the reliability and capacity of energy infrastructure. When data centers go down because of grid problems, it can seriously affect business operations and digital services.
Reaction and Implications
Trump’s suggestion that tech companies build their own power plants comes during wider political debates about U.S. energy policy, grid resilience, and climate goals. Critics say there are technical, economic, and regulatory challenges, while supporters see a chance for more corporate investment in energy infrastructure.
This discussion also connects with federal and state efforts to improve energy resilience, adopt renewable energy, and modernize the grid. It is still unclear if Trump’s comments will lead to real changes by tech companies, but they highlight growing worries about meeting future energy needs as digital demand rises.
