Factoid: More than 4,200 data centers in the U.S. currently operate 24/7. Another 1,500 are under development. Not sure how many we need, but we do know crazy demand for power, largely driven by AI, is transforming how that power is sourced and supplied to data centers with their nonstop computing workloads. The largest concentrations of these data centers lie in Va., known as “Data Center Alley,” followed by hubs in Texas and Calif., where new infrastructure projects include on-site power plants and dedicated natural gas pipelines to bypass strained electrical grids. Pipe and power are having a moment the likes of which we’ve never seen.  

Reese Energy Consulting today spotlights Tulsa-based Williams, which recently announced commercializing three new pipe and power projects and upsizing a fourth. Among the first three is the $2.3 billion NEO, the company’s fifth and largest to date behind-the-meter power project that consists of 682 MW of installed capacity, a 12-1/2-year contract with a high-quality hyperscaler, and an in-service date in the second half of 2028.

The second project is Atlas, a 13-year infrastructure agreement with a customer data center in the Northeast to provide up to 164 MMCFD of pipeline capacity.

The third, Silver Spur, a 90-mile expansion of Williams’ Northwest Pipeline into the Idaho market, adding 275 MMCFD of capacity. Completion is slated for early 2030.

Then there’s upsizing the company’s Transco’s Power Express, which will increase capacity from 689 MMCFD to 750 MMCFD to meet increasing demand from Northeast data centers.

More tales to come.