Interview: Unison Energy CEO on Data Centers Turning to On-Site Power

Why It Matters

On‑site power de‑risks data‑center build‑outs, accelerating AI infrastructure rollout while the grid remains constrained, positioning Unison as a pivotal Energy‑as‑a‑Service player.

Key Takeaways

• Unison builds, owns, operates natural‑gas CHP for data centers
• All pipeline projects arise from grid interconnection delays
• 50‑100 MW sites can be commissioned in roughly two years
• Contracts span 20 years, targeting creditworthy hyperscalers
• On‑site power is shifting from workaround to default design

Pulse Analysis

The surge in AI workloads is reshaping the electricity landscape, with U.S. data centers projected to consume up to 580 TWh by 2028—roughly 12% of national demand. Traditional utility grids are struggling to keep pace, hampered by interconnection backlogs that now exceed 2 TW of pending capacity. This mismatch forces developers to reconsider the classic model of waiting for grid upgrades and instead embed power generation directly at the site. By doing so, they secure reliable, dispatchable energy and sidestep lengthy permitting cycles, a strategy that is rapidly gaining acceptance across the industry.

Unison Energy’s Energy‑as‑a‑Service (EaaS) model capitalizes on this shift. The firm designs, builds, owns, and operates behind‑the‑meter CHP and microgrid systems, delivering power under long‑term, performance‑based contracts. Natural‑gas turbines provide high‑capacity, on‑demand electricity while capturing waste heat for industrial customers, enhancing overall efficiency. For data centers, the primary value lies in speed: a 50‑100 MW plant can move from contract to commissioning in about two years, dramatically shortening project timelines. By aligning revenue with kilowatt‑hour production, Unison ensures its incentives are tightly coupled with uptime and reliability—critical metrics for hyperscalers that demand near‑continuous operation.

Looking ahead, on‑site generation will likely become a hybrid component of data‑center power architecture. While natural‑gas remains the dominant fuel today, Unison’s systems can be retrofitted for biogas, offering a pathway toward lower carbon intensity without sacrificing reliability. As supply‑chain constraints ease and biogas markets mature, a mix of on‑site generation, grid imports, storage, and demand‑side flexibility will define the default design. This evolution not only mitigates grid bottlenecks but also creates a new revenue stream for energy service firms, cementing their role in the next wave of AI‑driven digital infrastructure.