Trump Administration to Fast-Track Energy Access for U.S. AI Growth
The Trump administration is preparing a sweeping set of executive orders aimed at accelerating energy infrastructure and AI data centre development, according to four sources familiar with internal planning. The move is part of a broader strategy to ensure the United States maintains a competitive edge over China in the escalating global AI technology race.
Energy Demands of Artificial Intelligence Drive Urgency
Training and deploying large-scale AI models requires massive computing power, which in turn demands a significant increase in electricity supply. According to consultancy Grid Strategies, U.S. electricity demand between 2024 and 2029 is projected to grow at five times the rate predicted in 2022. Another report from Deloitte warns that power demand from AI data centres could surge over 30 times by 2035.
But meeting these demands is difficult. Current power-generation projects face long delays due to impact studies and an overburdened grid infrastructure. The administration’s planned orders are expected to streamline energy project approvals and ease grid connection bottlenecks.
Key Executive Actions Under Consideration
According to the sources, the Trump administration is considering several aggressive steps to facilitate AI infrastructure growth, including:
- Easing grid access for new power-generation projects by prioritising fully developed facilities
- Offering federal land—including that managed by the Department of Defence or the Department of the Interior—to build AI data centres
- Streamlining Clean Water Act permitting to replace the current state-by-state system with a nationwide permit
- Accelerating data centre construction through reduced zoning barriers and regulatory streamlining
These efforts are expected to be accompanied by a formal AI action plan and a series of public events to build momentum and public support.
National AI and Energy Strategy
In January 2025, Trump hosted leading tech executives at the White House to promote the Stargate Project, a multi-billion-dollar initiative involving OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle. The project aims to build next-generation data centres and create over 100,000 jobs.
On his first day back in office, Trump declared a national energy emergency, removing regulatory roadblocks to:
- Oil and gas drilling
- Coal extraction
- Critical mineral mining
- Gas and nuclear power plant construction
These moves are designed to rapidly scale up U.S. energy capacity, particularly to support high-demand sectors like artificial intelligence.
AI as a Strategic Priority in the U.S.–China Tech War
The executive actions are also part of a broader national security strategy. The administration views domestic AI development as critical to maintaining economic dominance and military readiness in the face of China’s rapid AI advancements.
“AI is the next frontier of global power, and the U.S. must lead,” said one source familiar with the administration’s strategy.
Final Thoughts
The Trump administration’s upcoming AI and energy executive orders reflect the urgency of scaling U.S. infrastructure to meet the unprecedented demands of AI-driven technologies. By streamlining energy project approvals, providing federal land for data centres, and simplifying environmental permits, the U.S. aims to stay ahead of China in the AI race while simultaneously fueling job creation and economic growth.
