Vistra invests in gas plants

Vistra Corp is set to acquire seven natural gas-fired power plants for $1.9 billion, signalling a significant investment in fossil fuels to meet the escalating energy demands of artificial intelligence. This move highlights a growing trend among major US power generators who are banking on natural gas to power the energy-intensive AI sector.

The acquisition from Lotus Infrastructure Partners, which is expected to close later this year, includes plants in Illinois, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, totalling 7.7 gigawatts of capacity. Vistra's strategic move ensures a reliable energy supply for AI data centres, which require substantial and consistent power.

As AI technologies advance, their energy consumption continues to surge, making investments in dependable power sources like natural gas increasingly vital. Vistra's $1.9 billion deal underscores the critical role of traditional energy infrastructure in supporting the future of AI and other data-heavy industries.