Imagine buying the most advanced oven ever invented. It cooks every meal for you, from start to finish, freeing up time and improving your life. But when the first electric bill arrives, you're shocked to see how much power it guzzles.
That's the situation unfolding with artificial intelligence (AI).
As AI revolutionizes industries and reshapes daily life, it's also quietly creating a massive new demand for electricity. This could transform parts of the energy and utility sectors and offer opportunities for investors.
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Why does AI need so much energy?
The rise of generative AI tools like ChatGPT and large language models (LLMs) requires vast computing power, which means more data centers – and lots of them.
These centers aren't just warehouses of servers. They're energy-intensive hubs that need constant cooling, high uptime and reliable power sources.
According to McKinsey & Co., global demand for data center capacity could rise by more than 20% per year through 2030. Goldman Sachs projects that AI alone could drive a 165% increase in data center electricity use by then.
This surge has sparked (no pun intended) renewed interest in energy infrastructure and even formerly taboo sources of power.
Microsoft (MSFT), for example, made headlines recently for giving a second life to Three Mile Island – a site best known for its 1979 partial nuclear meltdown – by exploring it as a clean power source for future data centers.
The thinking is simple: Nuclear energy, which produces zero greenhouse gas emissions, is a potential lifeline for AI's hungry backend.
Where might investors look to profit?
The dramatic shift in energy usage brought on by AI is sending ripple effects across several sectors. While nothing is guaranteed, certain areas are emerging as potential long-term beneficiaries.
Ben Loughery, founder and managing principal of Lock Wealth Management, believes utilities and energy infrastructure are particularly well-positioned.
"The key is to identify which companies are setting themselves up as the backbone of AI – not just riding the hype," Loughery says.
Utility stocks are perhaps the most direct beneficiaries of rising power demand. Some companies are already expanding capacity to meet the energy needs of growing data center hubs.
Dominion Energy (D), for instance, serves Northern Virginia, which is now the largest and fastest-growing data center market in the U.S.
For those seeking broader exposure, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds focused on utility companies offer a diversified way to participate in the trend.
The Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU), which holds major electric and natural gas producers, provides a low-cost option to track the sector's performance.
Meanwhile, nuclear energy is experiencing something of a revival, thanks to its high efficiency and zero-carbon emissions. That has brought new attention to companies in the space.
The nuclear project involving Microsoft, mentioned earlier, includes a partnership with Constellation Energy (CEG), the largest owner of nuclear power plants in the country.
Startups are also entering the picture. One to watch is Oklo, which is developing compact nuclear reactors that could eventually power small-scale AI operations.
Backed by investors like Peter Thiel and OpenAI's Sam Altman, Oklo represents a cutting-edge bet on clean, scalable energy technology.
Renewables and energy storage are another piece of the puzzle. As more data centers come online, particularly those operated by companies with net-zero emissions goals, the demand for clean energy and better storage solutions is rising fast.
NextEra Energy (NEE), one of the world's largest producers of renewable energy from wind and solar, stands out in this space.
Other notable names include Brookfield Renewable (BEPC), which owns and operates a global portfolio of clean power assets, and First Solar (FSLR), a leading manufacturer of solar panels and developer of utility-scale photovoltaic systems.
For broader exposure, clean energy ETFs offer a way to invest in this potential trend through a diversified basket of companies.
One option is the iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN). The fund holds roughly 100 of the largest clean energy companies worldwide and is among the most actively traded and widely held funds in the industry.
Keep in mind
Even the most promising trends come with risk, and this one is no exception. As the AI boom reshapes the energy landscape, investors should proceed thoughtfully.
"Regulatory uncertainty is always something to pay attention to," Loughery cautions. Policy changes, especially around nuclear energy or emissions, could throw things into flux quickly.
While the long-term trend is compelling, not every company will emerge as a winner.
That's why it pays to do your homework. Understanding the fundamentals behind a company's role in the AI energy ecosystem is key.
For many investors, diversifying within the industry may be a more effective approach than betting on a single stock.
Finding the best ETFs to buy that are focused on clean energy, utility or infrastructure stocks can offer exposure across multiple players while spreading out the risk.
Perhaps most importantly, this is a long game. The relationship between AI and energy is just beginning to take shape. Volatility and growing pains are often part of the process.
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