AI’s insatiable demand for power has tech companies hunting for new energy sources — a search that has fueled competition and investment into fusion and fission startups.
For many, natural gas is the easy answer for 24/7, baseload power. It’s tested, inexpensive, and widely available. But the war in the Middle East exposed its vulnerable supply chain after Iranian drone strikes took out a significant portion of natural gas infrastructure in Qatar, a major exporter. At the same time, surging demand has created a waitlist for gas turbines so long that today’s orders probably won’t be fulfilled until the early 2030s.
