At the heart of the AI revolution lies data centers. Massive, highly specialized facilities housing the servers and infrastructure that train and deploy complex AI models. However, soaring power requirements for these facilities are now testing the limits of traditional electrical grids and energy infrastructure.
Recent industry assessments estimate that power consumption by AI data centers in the United States alone could surge from roughly 4 gigawatts in 2024 to well over 100 gigawatts by 2035. To put this in perspective, 100 gigawatts is equivalent to the output of more than 100 large nuclear reactors.
To combat this, Brookfield Asset Management and Bloom Energy have announced a $5 billion strategic partnership focused on clean and scalable power solutions for AI data centers. This collaboration is set to accelerate the deployment of Bloom Energy’s advanced fuel cell technology to power AI infrastructure projects globally.
Fuel cells generate electricity directly through chemical reactions rather than combustion, resulting in minimal emissions. Bloom Energy’s solid oxide fuel cells produce power efficiently while emitting only water and heat as byproducts, significantly reducing carbon footprints relative to traditional power generation.
Already deployed across hundreds of megawatts in critical digital infrastructure, Bloom’s fuel cell systems have demonstrated scalability and reliability. These systems can operate onsite at data centers, reducing dependence on strained grids and enabling rapid deployment without extensive new infrastructure.
Role and Vision
With over $550 billion in managed assets and deep expertise in digital and energy infrastructure, Brookfield brings unparalleled financial strength and project execution capabilities to the partnership.
The $5 billion investment will fund the integration of Bloom’s fuel cell technology into AI “factories”, specialized data centers designed for AI workloads characterized by rapid deployment, high power density, and real-time responsiveness. A major AI factory project in Europe is slated for launch before the end of 2025, with additional global sites anticipated as AI demand accelerates.
KR Sridhar, CEO of Bloom Energy, emphasized the need for a new model in AI infrastructure, stating, “AI infrastructure must be built like a factory, with purpose, speed, and scale.” He explained that unlike conventional data centers, AI factories require massive, rapidly deployable power solutions that conform to dynamic load profiles, functions that legacy grids cannot support effectively.
Sikander Rashid, Brookfield’s Global Head of AI Infrastructure, highlighted the partnership’s impact on energy resilience: “Behind-the-meter power solutions are essential to closing the grid gap for AI factories. Bloom’s fuel cell technology enables a holistic, innovative design approach addressing grid constraints and sustainability simultaneously.”
Bloom Energy’s fuel cell technology is already powering data centers through partnerships with major players such as American Electric Power, Equinix, and Oracle. This new collaboration with Brookfield accelerates adoption by expanding integration within AI infrastructure clusters worldwide, with Europe positioned as a key growth region.
Brookfield’s broader AI infrastructure investments reinforce its leadership in this domain. Announced commitments include nearly $10 billion towards AI data centers in Sweden and over €20 billion focusing on AI projects in France, positioning Brookfield as a global investment powerhouse in AI infrastructure.
As AI continues to reshape industries, the underlying energy demands have triggered a race to innovate sustainable power solutions. The Brookfield-Bloom Energy partnership exemplifies how clean technology and strategic infrastructure investment can coalesce to enable scalable, low-carbon AI operations.
