Eric Schmidt, former CEO of Google, is entering the artificial intelligence infrastructure arena with a new startup, Bolt Data Energy, aimed at providing comprehensive solutions for hyperscale data centers. The venture is strategically partnering with Texas Pacific Land (TPL), a significant landowner in West Texas, to secure land, power, and water resources critical for AI development.
Bolt Data Energy is betting on TPL's extensive holdings – 882,000 acres, exceeding the size of Rhode Island – to establish data center campuses. TPL, with a market capitalization of $20 billion, offers access to natural gas and renewable energy sources, along with its existing water services business, which can be repurposed to meet the substantial water demands of data centers. Schmidt emphasized the critical role of energy in scaling AI, stating that Bolt was created to address this challenge and maintain America's competitive edge.
The move comes as the AI industry grapples with energy constraints. Data centers, particularly those supporting AI workloads, require massive amounts of power and water. By offering a one-stop shop for land, power, and water, Bolt aims to streamline the development process for hyperscalers and alleviate a major bottleneck in AI infrastructure development. This initiative could significantly impact the data center market, potentially driving down costs and accelerating the deployment of AI technologies.
Texas Pacific Land, originally a railroad company established 150 years ago, transformed into an oil and gas player. Its vast land holdings and existing infrastructure make it a valuable partner in the data center space. Schmidt's entry into the market adds further validation to the growing importance of specialized infrastructure for AI.
Looking ahead, Bolt Data Energy's success hinges on its ability to efficiently develop and manage its resources in West Texas. The company's strategy could set a precedent for future data center development, particularly in regions with abundant energy resources. The partnership between a tech heavyweight like Schmidt and a land-rich company like TPL signals a new era in the race to power the AI revolution.
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