Powering the Digital Future: Positioning Hydropower for Providing Electricity for the Data Center and AI Boom

This session examines how owners of conventional hydropower and pumped storage projects can position themselves to serve the rapidly growing demand from data centers and AI infrastructure.

Speakers will explore emerging business models such as direct power purchase agreements with technology companies, co-location strategies, and hybrid projects paired with other renewables.

The discussion will also cover how regional transmission organizations (RTOs) and utilities are adjusting market rules, interconnection processes, and transmission planning to accommodate large data center loads, and what those changes mean for hydropower developers and owners.

Presenter(s)

Paul DietzSenior Manager, Forecasting & Market AnalyticsGrant County Public Utility DistrictModerator

Faisal BakhteyarSenior Director, OriginationBrookfield RenewablePanelist

Surabhi KarambelkarChair, Steering Committee for the Julie A. Keil Women in Hydro Scholarship FundPolicy Director, Low Impact Hydropower Institute (LIHI)Panelist

Mark StearnsManager, Power Generation, Program ManagermentSeattle City LightPanelist

Andrew WebberFounder and Chief Executive OfficerDigital Power Optimization (DPO)Panelist