This February 2025 final report comes from OpenMinds NextGen student teams working with NextEra Energy. It asks how far solar, wind and nuclear power can go in meeting data center electricity demand from AI over the next 5 to 10 years, and which levers can speed renewable adoption for developers and hyperscalers. The team built a Renewable Compute Index and a Renewables Readiness Scorecard covering 14 key states.
Key points
- Data center energy demand is projected at 306 to 391 TWh per year by 2030, or 6.45% to 8.10% of total energy demand.
- New Mexico, Montana, Minnesota, Colorado and Nevada combine high renewable supply with emerging data center demand, making them best for expansion.
- Texas is the primary strategic focus, with the fastest interconnection and streamlined permitting, while Nevada and Arizona follow as fast-growing markets.
- Repeatable transaction structures that pay for 24/7 clean electricity, such as Nevada's Clean Transition Tariff, can help developers and offtakers go farther, faster.
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