{
  "schemaVersion": 1,
  "contentDigest": "59010ea045564837abaa70f13c72ebca42c8d30ec5fb32d80231ca15cdc4318b",
  "id": "news-americas-ai-data-center-fuel-cell-demand-20261023",
  "language": "en",
  "interfaceLanguage": "en",
  "url": "https://voltformer.com/news/ai-data-center-fuel-cell-demand-20261023",
  "slug": "ai-data-center-fuel-cell-demand-20261023",
  "category": "oil-gas",
  "publishDate": "2026-10-23",
  "sourceName": "Reuters via Investing.com",
  "sourceUrl": "https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/explainerwhy-ai-data-centers-are-powering-a-boom-in-fuelcell-demand-4969934",
  "readingTimeMinutes": 3,
  "tags": [
    "United States",
    "Fuel cells",
    "Data centers",
    "Artificial intelligence",
    "Grid capacity",
    "Natural gas",
    "Industry assessment"
  ],
  "content": {
    "title": "AI data-center builders turn to fuel cells as grid connections lag",
    "summary": "Reuters reports that U.S. hyperscalers are considering on-site fuel-cell power as grid connections take years; Rystad projects sector investment could reach $30 billion by 2030.",
    "tags": [
      "United States",
      "Fuel cells",
      "Data centers",
      "Artificial intelligence",
      "Grid capacity",
      "Natural gas",
      "Industry assessment"
    ],
    "sections": [
      {
        "heading": "Why data-center developers are looking on site",
        "paragraphs": [
          "Reuters reported on Oct. 23 that U.S. hyperscalers building AI data centers are turning to fuel cells as they seek reliable electricity while facing constraints on grid connections. Rystad Energy estimates linking large loads to the U.S. grid can take three to six years. That wait has pushed some developers to consider dedicated on-site power rather than rely solely on a future grid upgrade.",
          "A fuel cell makes electricity through an electrochemical reaction between a fuel, such as natural gas or hydrogen, and oxygen. Unlike conventional combustion generation, the reaction produces electricity directly in the cell. The systems still need fuel supply, permits and supporting electrical infrastructure; on-site generation does not remove every connection or project-delivery constraint."
        ],
        "sources": [
          {
            "name": "Reuters via Investing.com",
            "url": "https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/explainerwhy-ai-data-centers-are-powering-a-boom-in-fuelcell-demand-4969934"
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "heading": "Investment forecasts and planned capacity",
        "paragraphs": [
          "Rystad projects investment in fuel cells for data centers could rise to about $30 billion by 2030, from $2.8 billion in 2025. It estimates roughly 40% of projected U.S. data-center capacity in 2030 could pursue dedicated on-site power instead of depending entirely on the grid. These are research-firm projections, not contracted spending or announced construction for every site.",
          "Rystad also expects annual fuel-cell manufacturing capacity to grow from about 1.8 gigawatts currently to 4 gigawatts by 2030. That is a forecast for the industry’s production capability. Whether it translates into installations will depend on orders, factory ramp-up, site readiness, permits, gas connections, transformers and switchgear."
        ],
        "sources": [
          {
            "name": "Reuters via Investing.com",
            "url": "https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/explainerwhy-ai-data-centers-are-powering-a-boom-in-fuelcell-demand-4969934"
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "heading": "Company examples and different fuel-cell designs",
        "paragraphs": [
          "Reuters describes Bloom Energy’s solid-oxide systems and FuelCell Energy’s molten-carbonate technology. Bloom says its technology can use 100% hydrogen; Reuters reports FuelCell Energy’s systems are limited to blends with up to 40% hydrogen. Both are fuel-flexible, but these characteristics should not be read as proof that hydrogen supply is available at each data-center site.",
          "Bloom told Reuters it had delivered power to an Oracle site in Utah in under two months and was progressing a project with Nebius in New Jersey. Reuters also reports Oracle intends to procure up to 2.8 gigawatts of Bloom systems, with 1.2 gigawatts contracted. The distinction between an intended total and contracted capacity matters: framework plans do not make the full amount a firm order."
        ],
        "sources": [
          {
            "name": "Reuters via Investing.com",
            "url": "https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/explainerwhy-ai-data-centers-are-powering-a-boom-in-fuelcell-demand-4969934"
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "heading": "Deployment constraints remain",
        "paragraphs": [
          "For projects above 100 megawatts, Bloom’s commercial chief told Reuters that site readiness, permitting and supporting infrastructure are often the main schedule determinants, rather than the fuel-cell technology alone. Developers still need gas connections, permits, transformers and switchgear. These requirements can constrain how quickly a modular power system is installed and brought into service.",
          "Fuel cells may complement grid power and compete with other on-site technologies. Rystad’s projected industry order book of roughly 9 gigawatts includes framework agreements involving Oracle, AEP, Equinix and Brookfield; Reuters cautions those agreements do not necessarily represent firm orders for all stated capacity. Cost, manufacturing scale and fuel access will shape actual deployments."
        ],
        "sources": [
          {
            "name": "Reuters via Investing.com",
            "url": "https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/explainerwhy-ai-data-centers-are-powering-a-boom-in-fuelcell-demand-4969934"
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  },
  "companies": [],
  "sourceVersion": "9e4f2c623979eb2e53b7896173576ff8873604816edf58c96b13544f04aea1d9"
}