Rising AI workloads are reshaping data centre power infrastructure requirements, driving demand for resilient, scalable energy solutions globally.
ABB and VoltaGrid have extended their collaboration to accelerate the deployment of advanced data centre power infrastructure. The agreement, signed on 25 March 2026 at CERAWeek 2026 in Houston, builds on previous orders and reinforces a shared commitment to supporting hyperscale AI data centre growth.
Under the expanded agreement, ABB will deliver 35 synchronous condensers equipped with flywheel technology, alongside prefabricated eHouse units. These systems will be deployed across major global power generation projects and are expected to be booked in the second quarter of 2026.
This development reflects increasing demand for scalable and rapidly deployable energy infrastructure capable of supporting high-density AI workloads.
Advanced grid stabilisation for AI data centres
Synchronous condensers play a central role in maintaining grid stability, particularly in environments with fluctuating loads such as AI-driven data centres. Acting as stabilisation assets within behind-the-meter power systems, they provide instantaneous inertia and support voltage regulation through reactive power management.
ABB’s solution integrates medium- and low-voltage distribution infrastructure with excitation systems designed to maximise uptime and operational continuity. This is particularly relevant for hyperscale data centres where even minor disruptions can impact performance and service delivery.
The inclusion of flywheel technology enhances system responsiveness, enabling rapid compensation for transient disturbances. This capability is critical as next-generation AI chips demand increasingly stringent power quality and stability.
Supporting hyperscale AI infrastructure deployment
The collaboration directly addresses the growing complexity of data centre energy requirements. As AI workloads scale, so too does the need for flexible, high-performance power infrastructure that can be deployed quickly and operate reliably under variable conditions.
Nathan Ough, CEO of VoltaGrid, stated: “VoltaGrid’s power platform is purpose-built to deliver large-scale power with exceptional dynamic performance and reliability for next-generation digital infrastructure. By integrating ABB’s advanced grid stabilisation technologies with our AI-optimised power systems, we can meet increasingly stringent transient performance requirements while accelerating deployment at gigawatt scale.”
VoltaGrid’s modular microgrid solutions are designed to deliver operational efficiency while maintaining a compact footprint and reducing noise. These characteristics are particularly valuable in urban or constrained environments where data centre expansion must balance performance with spatial and environmental considerations.
Integrated energy solutions
A key aspect of this partnership is ABB’s integrated approach, combining expertise from its automation, electrification and motion divisions. This cross-disciplinary model aligns with broader digital construction trends, where convergence between energy systems and digital infrastructure is essential.
Per Erik Holsten, President of ABB’s Energy Industries division, commented: “Extending our collaboration with VoltaGrid demonstrates the strength of ABB’s businesses working together, combining automation, electrification and motion expertise and technologies with innovative distributed power systems to create greater value for customers. Together, we are enabling reliable, resilient and scalable power infrastructure for data centres serving the rapidly growing AI economy.”
This integrated delivery model supports faster project timelines and improves system interoperability, both of which are critical in large-scale digital construction programmes.
Addressing global data centre energy demand
The expansion comes at a time when global data centre energy consumption continues to rise. In 2024, data centres accounted for approximately 1.5 percent of global electricity usage, with the United States responsible for around 45 percent of that total.
As AI adoption accelerates across industries, the pressure on existing grid infrastructure is increasing. This has led to greater reliance on decentralised and behind-the-meter energy solutions, such as those provided by VoltaGrid, to ensure continuity and performance.
ABB’s role in enabling these systems highlights the importance of advanced power technologies in supporting the next phase of digital infrastructure development.
The ABB and VoltaGrid partnership demonstrates how integrated power solutions enable resilient, scalable data centre infrastructure, supporting AI growth while addressing increasing energy demand and grid complexity worldwide.
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