Why AI data centres are powering a boom in fuel-cell demand
US hyperscalers are increasingly considering fuel cells to provide faster, reliable power for AI data centers amid multiyear grid-connection delays. Bloom Energy has announced projects with Oracle and Nebius, while FuelCell Energy is also expanding its data center business.
Fuel-cell providers are gaining traction as US data center developers face grid-connection timelines of three to six years. Rystad Energy projects investment in data center fuel cells will grow from $2.8 billion in 2025 to about $30 billion by 2030, with roughly 40% of US data center capacity potentially using dedicated on-site power.
Bloom Energy CEO KR Sridhar said the company delivered power to an Oracle site in Utah in less than two months and secured planning approvals for a Nebius project in New Jersey within three months of signing. Oracle has contracted for 1.2 gigawatts of Bloom systems and could procure up to 2.8 gigawatts, while FuelCell Energy expects data centers and related business to make up as much as 85% of its revenue within two to three years. Deployment still depends on permitting, site readiness, gas connections and other infrastructure.