Artificial intelligence developer Anthropic has agreed to acquire 1.7 gigawatts of heavy-duty, gas-fired generation equipment under a USD 3.4 billion power deal.

The transaction is described as the largest single purchase of power-generation equipment ever executed by an artificial intelligence firm, and it underscores the growing global demand for gigawatt-scale computing facilities.

A Landmark Power Deal for AI Infrastructure

The agreement was finalized in late September between Anthropic's corporate leadership and OnePWR Solutions, a San Antonio-based energy infrastructure provider.

Rather than purchasing OnePWR directly or absorbing its workforce, Anthropic acquired the underlying manufacturing queue rights, technical designs, and installation logistics required to deploy the hardware.

Under the terms of the transaction, Anthropic took over a massive equipment order queue that OnePWR had placed with heavy machinery manufacturer Caterpillar Inc. two years prior.

Bypassing the Grid

Company executives chose to bypass traditional electric utility interconnections in order to avoid grid interconnection backlogs that frequently delay data center operations by several years.

Industry analysts emphasize that utility grid constraints represent the single largest bottleneck for modern data center deployment, and major cloud operators increasingly deploy self-generated natural gas power systems to secure reliable electricity while waiting for high-voltage transmission upgrades.

The power procurement plan is structured to deliver continuous, utility-scale electricity directly to off-grid campus locations. The 1.7-gigawatt equipment package utilizes advanced natural gas generators designed for base-load and peak-shaving operations, providing dedicated generating capacity to supply high-density server racks.

Engineering Scope and Fuel Strategy

The total UD 3.4 billion commitment covers hardware fabrication, balance-of-plant engineering, and site construction works. Design contractors are integrating high-efficiency natural gas turbine sets with specialized cooling modules, and construction crews will assemble modular power blocks alongside targeted data hall structures to ensure rapid deployment.

By assuming Caterpillar's multi-year equipment manufacturing slots, Anthropic bypasses supply chain constraints that would otherwise delay access to heavy-duty generator hardware.

The procurement strategy aligns with Anthropic's long-term capital trajectory as the organization prepares for an initial public offering. Securing independent energy assets guarantees that the company maintains execution velocity across its multi-hundred-billion-dollar compute pipeline.

Three-Phase Deployment Plan

The deployment is organized into three phases. In the first phase, Caterpillar delivers initial heavy-duty natural gas generator sets to designated installation sites.

In the second phase, engineering teams connect fuel supply pipelines, microgrid switchgear, and step-up transformers, a stage described as civil integration. In the third phase, on-site power units begin powering live server clusters without grid reliance, completing operational commissioning.

The phased hardware deliveries will run through 2027 and 2028, targeting a total continuous capacity of 1.7 gigawatts.

Project Fact Sheet Details

The initiative, named the Anthropic Off-Grid 1.7GW Power Generation & Data Center Initiative, combines high-density AI data center and distributed natural gas power plant infrastructure.

The developer is Anthropic PBC, with energy equipment supplied by OnePWR Solutions and Caterpillar Inc. The project is located in the United States, though specific campus site coordinates remain confidential. Its status is listed as a commercial agreement executed and a procurement phase active.

Key infrastructure needs include the 1.7GW generator fleet, gas pipeline interconnections, step-up substations, on-site fuel storage, and microgrid distribution switchgear. Technology integration spans modular natural gas generator sets, SCADA microgrid controls, high-efficiency heat exchangers, and direct liquid cooling interconnections.

Raw materials required for the buildout include heavy structural steel, high-pressure natural gas piping, high-grade copper wiring, concrete foundation footings, and specialized acoustic cladding.

Jobs and Economic Impact

The multi-billion-dollar infrastructure program is expected to support thousands of specialized engineering, fabrication, and heavy civil construction jobs. Construction employment is estimated at more than 3,500 civil, mechanical, electrical, and pipeline construction workers during peak buildout.

Once operational, the project is expected to support over 450 direct permanent jobs, including power plant operators, electrical engineers, and data center technicians.

In economic terms, the program is positioned to remove grid bottleneck constraints, accelerate deployment schedules, and drive large-scale equipment manufacturing jobs. Dedicated power generation guarantees uninterrupted operational uptime for next-generation foundation models.

Execution Risks

Delivery risks associated with the program include the complexity of natural gas fuel delivery logistics and environmental considerations, though the source text was truncated before detailing these factors fully. No completion date for the full 1.7-gigawatt fleet beyond the 2027–2028 delivery window was provided.

Powering America's Digital Backbone: Track Every Data Center Project Before Your Competitors Do

Cloud adoption, AI workloads, and hyperscale expansion are driving unprecedented data center construction across the United States. But with dozens of new facilities breaking ground every quarter, the real competitive advantage goes to the companies that spot these opportunities first.

Whether you supply cooling systems, power infrastructure, construction services, or network equipment, timing is everything. The Global Project Tracking (GPT) platform by Blackridge Research gives you a live, comprehensive view of data center development from early planning through completion, so you can engage decision-makers when it matters most.

From hyperscale campuses in Virginia to edge facilities in emerging metros, every project, tender, and contract award is mapped, updated, and delivered to your dashboard in real time.

• Upcoming Projects

• Tender Notices

• Contract Awards

• Projects Under Construction

• Completed Projects

Stop chasing stale leads and start building your pipeline with verified, up-to-date project intelligence. Book a Free Demo of the Global Project Tracking (GPT) platform today and see exactly where the next billion-dollar data center is taking shape.