Anthropic orders $3.4 billion in gas generators for data centers

Anthropic has ordered gas generators from Caterpillar worth $3.4 billion to power its AI data centers. The facilities are capable of generating up to 1.7 gigawatts of electricity, a capacity that enables the company to operate independently of traditional utility providers. This acquisition represents the largest known single purchase of power generation capacity by an AI company. Previously, Anthropic rented this capacity, but the shift to direct ownership is driven by the immense energy demands of AI infrastructure and the need to secure equipment with multi-year lead times. The strategic move aligns with broader industry trends, as other technology giants including Amazon and Microsoft are also planning to build their own gas power plants. These companies aim to ensure their US facilities operate independently of the public power grid, reducing reliance on external energy markets.