Data centers aren’t just energy-hungry—they’re reshaping the power system faster than almost anything we’ve seen before. Some now consume as much electricity as entire cities, and the rush to meet that demand is often driving new fossil fuel generation, costly grid upgrades, and rising risks for communities.

In this episode of Just Power, host Carolyn Parrs is joined with Uday Varadarajan, co-founder and CEO of Colectric, to explore a radically different approach. Uday introduces the idea of “Power Couples”—pairing clean energy and data centers at existing power plant sites—to meet AI-driven demand quickly without shifting costs to ratepayers or compromising climate goals. It’s a conversation about speed, scale, equity, and how rural communities could lead—not follow—the next phase of the energy transition.

⭐ Highlights

• Why data centers are a tipping point for the grid—some rival small cities in energy use and demand 24/7 reliability.
• The “Power Couple” model explained: co-locating data centers with clean energy at existing power plants to avoid costly grid upgrades.
• How locational flexibility changes the game, allowing AI firms to site facilities where clean energy can be built fastest.
• Protecting affordability: meeting new load with purpose-built resources so costs aren’t shifted onto communities or ratepayers.
• Utilities as long-term partners and owners, reducing risk while creating new, responsible growth opportunities.
• A bigger vision for rural America: clean energy hubs that support farming, manufacturing, and local economic development—without leaving anyone behind.

About my guest, Uday Varadarajan
Uday is the Co-founder and CEO of Colectric, an early-stage company that helps utilities and AI firms rapidly supply clean energy to data centers without risking grid reliability or increasing energy costs for communities. Website: https://colectric.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/uday-varadarajan-10aa701/

About Just Power host, Carolyn Parrs
Carolyn is a Senior Strategic Communications Leader and the CEO of Mind Over Markets.
Website: https://mindovermarkets.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justpower
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolynparrs/

About Just Power Podcast
The Just Power Podcast is about making clean, affordable and reliable energy accessible to everyone. Created and hosted by Carolyn Parrs, it features energy experts, policymakers, tribal voices, and community champions who are working hard to make energy equity a reality in our energy transition.

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