In a story in the New York Times,Rebecca F. Elliott writes that electricity demand is rising so quickly in the United States that even ExxonMobil, the country’s largest oil and gas company, is planning to enter the power business.
ExxonMobil, a global oil and gas giant, is entering the data center power market with plans to build a massive natural gas-fired power plant. The facility, designed to produce over 1,500 megawatts of electricity—enough to power nearly 1.8 million homes—aims to serve the growing energy demands of data centers, particularly those supporting artificial intelligence technologies.
What sets this project apart is its focus on sustainability. The plant will feature advanced carbon capture technology designed to capture over 90% of its carbon dioxide emissions. Additionally, it will operate independently of the traditional power grid, speeding up development and avoiding the red tape often associated with connecting to the grid.
Exxon’s president of low-carbon solutions, Dan Ammann, highlighted the strategic value of this project, calling it a “low-carbon solution with a faster timeline.” With energy demand from data centers expected to rise sharply—currently accounting for 4% of U.S. electricity use and projected to more than double by the decade’s end—this move positions Exxon at the forefront of a critical intersection: energy production and digital infrastructure.
This isn’t Exxon’s first foray into innovative solutions for data centers. The company recently collaborated with Intel to develop liquid-based cooling technologies that aim to improve energy efficiency for these energy-hungry facilities.
For the oil and gas sector, Exxon’s entry into powering data centers signals a major shift. It demonstrates how traditional energy companies can adapt their operations to align with the changing energy landscape, particularly as technology companies look for sustainable and reliable power sources.
This bold initiative not only leverages Exxon’s expertise in natural gas and carbon capture technology but also offers a glimpse into how energy companies can innovate to meet the needs of our increasingly digital world. By integrating cleaner energy technologies with strategic partnerships, Exxon is paving the way for future collaborations between energy and tech industries.
At Oklahoma Minerals, we keep an eye on groundbreaking developments like this because they shape the future of energy. As an oil and gas mineral rights expert with over 40 years of experience, I know the importance of staying informed. For insights, advice, or a conversation about your mineral interests, visit oklahomaminerals.com and sign up for our free weekly newsletter. Let’s keep the conversation going!
