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Data Centers Need Power Before Chips

A data center can have servers ready and still be waiting for electricity.

Processors need the whole power chain because every rack depends on grid connection, transformers, switchgear, cooling, and backup power.

Before 1 large site connects, a utility may need to study whether the new load requires substation or transmission upgrades.

High-voltage equipment can also have long manufacturing lead times, so racks and power gear do not arrive on the same schedule.

That is the constraint hidden behind the chip story. Compute capacity is useless until electrical capacity reaches the building.

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