Alphabet Acquires Intersect For $4.75 Billion: More electricity for AI, but no solution to the root problem.

Illiyaan Anis alwani
Jan 2
2 min read

Key Points:

1. Alphabet agreed to acquire Intersect for $4.75 billion, vertically integrating data-center development and power infrastructure planning directly into Google’s AI expansion strategy.

2. Google is scaling AI compute into an environment where U.S. data-center electricity demand is projected to rise sharply by 2028, increasing competition for limited grid-connected power.

3. The acquisition underscores how even the largest technology companies are now forced to rethink traditional grid-dependent data-center expansion models.

4. Alphabet’s move reflects a broader industry recognition that grid interconnection timelines and power availability are becoming a strategic bottleneck for AI growth.

Source: Linkedin post by Sergiu Maznic

The American AI Electricity Shortage

AI-specific servers consumed 53-76 terawatt-hours of electricity in 2024. By 2028, electricity demand is expected to rise to as high as 326 terawatt-hours, enough to power 22% of all U.S. households. That is 400% increase. Tech giants like Microsoft, Meta, and Alphabet are racing to expand infrastructure, but traditional power delivery delays and rigid utility contracts are bottlenecking their AI expansion.

Intersect Helps - But it’s not enough

Intersect specializes in co-located data centers and energy sites, letting Alphabet align energy availability with compute deployment. The acquisition may streamline some of Google's datacenter deployments.

Yet, even with Intersect, the U.S. faces a 44GW+ electricity shortage by 2028, threatening its position in the global AI race against China.

The Real Solution: Solar Computing Clusters

Solar Computing Clusters (SCCs) are modular, off-grid solar battery systems that can fully power AI data centers. Already commercialized by 639 Solar in New Mexico, these clusters:

Deliver continuous 24/7 uptime at costs below $0.03/kWh
Deploy in under 12 months, far faster than traditional grid or gas alternatives
Are fully patented and proven, covering system architecture, power management, storage, and scaling for AI/cloud/HPC

America’s AI leadership is at stake. Solar Computing Clusters provide a path to solve the electricity shortage and secure national AI supremacy.

This is why Sean Walsh invented and patented Solar Computing Clusters and founded www.639solar.com .

Reach out to Sean and his team by email here, or connect with him on LinkedIn.

FAQs:

What is Alphabet’s Intersect acquisition about?
Alphabet acquired Intersect for $4.75B to align its AI compute infrastructure with energy resources, helping reduce deployment delays for its AI data centers.
Will Intersect solve the U.S. AI electricity shortage?
No. Intersect helps Alphabet internally, but the U.S. still faces a projected 44GW+ AI electricity deficit by 2028, requiring scalable, off-grid solutions.
What are Solar Computing Clusters (SCCs)?
SCCs are modular, off-grid solar-battery systems that can fully power AI data centers, offering 24/7 uptime at below $0.03/kWh and deploying in under 12 months.
How do SCCs help the U.S. stay competitive in AI?
By providing fast, low-cost, scalable power independent of the traditional grid, SCCs enable American AI infrastructure to expand rapidly, maintaining national AI leadership.