Amazon has an incumbent advantage, and Google stands out for some innovative approaches. The rapid adoption of AI has intensified power demand among hyperscale cloud companies, with Amazon and Google at the forefront. Amazon’s US self-built data centers now use up to 9 gigawatts of power, a figure comparable to an entire state’s generation capacity. Google and Microsoft trail with capacities around 5 gigawatts each, while Meta sits at 4 gigawatts. The competition is not merely about expansion but also about securing reliable, scalable power sources to meet the growing requirements of AI workloads. All the hyperscalers have also placed bets on novel technology providers that promise to eventually supply cheap, clean, reliable and fast energy. These range from small modular nuclear reactors, advanced geothermal and novel batteries to solar energy beamed in from space. SpaceX and Google are even eyeing data centers in space. As AI Companies Race for Power, Amazon and Google Have the Lead – WSJ