Anthropic has struck a massive deal for gas-fired engines for data centres, as AI labs muscle deeper into the energy industry and cut out intermediaries in the race for scarce power equipment. The frontier AI lab bought commitments for 1.7 gigawatts of heavy-duty generators for $3.4bn in late September from One PWR Solutions, a San Antonio, Texas-based equipment supplier. Anthropic did not acquire One PWR itself, but the deal included engineering and construction capabilities needed to install the generators.
None of One PWR's employees transferred to Anthropic. The transaction is the largest known single purchase of power-generation equipment by an AI lab, underscoring how the race for electricity is pushing tech companies deeper into the energy industry. AI developers typically rely on utilities and specialist power companies to provide power, but with demand for gas turbines and generators soaring and manufacturing lead times stretching years into the future, AI companies are using their financial muscle to cut out intermediaries and take direct control of production.
One PWR had ordered Caterpillar generators two years ago but needed financing to complete the transaction. Anthropic had originally planned to become a One PWR customer but opted to take over its equipment orders from Caterpillar instead. Securing power equipment directly has been crucial to Elon Musk's Space X getting its vast data centres up and running quickly, with x AI, owned by Space X, buying mobile gas turbines earlier this year for $2bn.
Google's parent Alphabet bought energy developer Intersect in late 2025. Rather than buy the entire company outright or simply buy the equipment, Anthropic has secured access to engines ordered years earlier before prices surged, which are available in the near term and the next two years. Anthropic is also a major Space X customer, with monthly payments to lease computing capacity expected to reach $3.1bn by year-end.
By owning some of their power infrastructure and having the capabilities in-house, companies believe they can better protect themselves against disruptions beyond their control.
Source: Financial Times Companies · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing