Anthropic closes $3.4 billion deal to buy gas generators for data centers

New York | Financial Times Anthropic has struck a major deal to acquire gas engines for data centers, in a move that reflects the advance of artificial intelligence labs into the energy sector and the attempt to eliminate intermediaries in the fight for scarce generation equipment.

The artificial intelligence laboratory acquired from OnePWR Solutions, an equipment supplier based in San Antonio, Texas, contracts to supply high-power generators, with a total capacity of 1.7 gigawatts, for US$3.4 billion, at the end of September.

Anthropic did not purchase OnePWR itself, but the deal included the engineering and construction services needed to install the generators. No OnePWR employees were transferred to Anthropic, according to a person familiar with the matter. OnePWR and Anthropic declined to comment.

The transaction is the largest single known purchase of power generation equipment by an AI lab, highlighting how the rush for electricity is driving technology companies to delve deeper into the energy sector.

In general, AI companies depend on utilities and specialized companies to obtain energy. But with demand for gas turbines and generators rising and manufacturing lead times reaching several years, these companies are using their financial power to cut out middlemen and take direct control of production.

OnePWR had ordered generators from Caterpillar two years earlier but needed financing to complete the transaction, according to a person familiar with the matter. Anthropic initially planned to become a OnePWR customer, but chose to place its equipment orders with Caterpillar.

The direct purchase of generation equipment was decisive for Elon Musk's SpaceX to quickly put its huge data processing centers into operation. xAI, controlled by SpaceX, purchased mobile gas turbines for $2 billion earlier this year.

Google parent Alphabet acquired energy developer Intersect in late 2025. Instead of buying the entire company or simply acquiring the equipment, Anthropic guaranteed access to engines ordered years earlier, before prices soared, with immediate availability over the next two years.

Anthropic is also a major SpaceX customer, and monthly payments for leasing computing capacity are expected to reach $3.1 billion by the end of the year.

The purchase also comes at a time when Anthropic seeks to assume greater control of the infrastructure that supports its operations. The company revealed on Monday that it has commitments of almost US$900 billion in computing capacity until 2045, after relying heavily on partners to guarantee energy, chips, data centers and land — and paying more to ensure capacity and meet demand. Purchasing generators directly gives Anthropic greater control over the electricity needed for these facilities.

“By owning part of their energy infrastructure and maintaining necessary capabilities in-house, companies believe they can better protect themselves against outages beyond their control,” said Arash Nazhad, managing director and head of clean energy and electricity at Stifel.

Anthropic is preparing to go public this month, in a process known as an IPO, in an operation that could be one of the biggest stock market debuts in history, as it seeks to finance more than US$895 billion in spending on computing infrastructure by 2045. But its ambitions face obstacles. Blackstone has warned investors that it may receive a speculative credit rating rather than the investment grade previously expected.