Major technology companies are set to commit to financing and securing their own power supplies for artificial intelligence data centres, following mounting political and community pressure over rising electricity costs.
President Donald Trump will meet executives from Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, xAI, Oracle and OpenAI at the White House on 4 March, where they are expected to sign a pledge to build, procure or otherwise provide dedicated power capacity for new AI data facilities. According to a White House official, the initiative is intended to ensure that expanding data centre demand does not translate into higher electricity bills for households.
The president previewed the agreement during his State of the Union address, stating that major technology companies would be required to meet their own power needs and could construct power plants alongside new facilities. The administration has framed the commitment as part of a broader strategy to support AI development while mitigating political risks tied to energy affordability.
Data centres have drawn opposition in several US communities, where residents attribute increasing utility bills to the sector’s substantial electricity consumption. The administration has warned that public perception linking AI infrastructure to higher costs could trigger backlash. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the government supports rapid data centre development but stressed the need for upfront investment in grid infrastructure to ensure communities remain receptive.
The meeting underscores the White House’s alignment with the AI industry as a driver of economic growth and national security. At the same time, it reflects growing scrutiny of the sector’s energy footprint, particularly in states where recent elections have highlighted voter sensitivity to utility prices.
By committing to supply their own power, the companies aim to reduce strain on local grids and address political concerns surrounding the rapid build-out of AI infrastructure. The agreement signals a recalibration in how hyperscale operators approach energy procurement as global technology demand accelerates.
