The case for colocating data centers and generation

Catalyst · 13 Feb 2025 · 44m

What this episode covers

Sheldon Kimber, founder and CEO of Intersect Power, explains how colocation of behind-the-meter solar, wind, and storage with data centers bypasses grid interconnection delays and capacity constraints. He details Intersect’s $800 million partnership with Google and TPG, noting that this model allows for faster time-to-power and cleaner operation than traditional grid-tied solutions. Kimber argues that while grid connections remain optional for insurance, the primary value lies in speed and scale, enabling multi-gigawatt sites in regions like the Texas Panhandle to come online by 2026-2028. He also dismisses concerns that AI efficiency gains (like DeepSeek) will reduce overall power demand, citing Jevons Paradox and the recursive nature of AI inference.

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