Power Before Compute: Why IT Buyers Can No Longer Treat Energy as an Afterthought

This IDC Perspective discusses how power, not budget, is now the primary constraint in the datacenter industry - determining where infrastructure can grow, how fast AI deployments can scale, and which organizations will secure the capacity they need.Datacenter growth is now constrained by power, not budget, as grid interconnection delays, rising energy costs, and cooling demands reshape infrastructure planning. IT buyers must secure power and sites years in advance, manage compounding bottlenecks, and adapt to new procurement risks. Hyperscalers are gaining structural advantages, while nuclear energy is emerging as a critical solution. Strategic, multiyear planning and expanded evaluation criteria are essential for organizations to remain competitive in a supply-constrained market."Power, not budget, now determines who wins the datacenter race. In the AI era, energy access is the new competitive edge," said Olga Yashkova, research manager, Worldwide Digital and Datacenter Infrastructure practice at IDC.