Conservatives are Talking About How Solar Will Unleash American Energy Abundance

The global race to lead in artificial intelligence is often framed as a battle over chips, algorithms, and computing power. But behind every data center and advanced processor sits something far more fundamental: electricity.

Artificial intelligence requires enormous amounts of electricity. Data centers that support AI applications must run continuously, consuming electricity at levels that rival small cities. As the United States invests in AI, advanced manufacturing, and the reshoring of critical industries, electricity demand is expected to grow at levels not seen in decades.

That reality has major implications for American energy policy. If the United States wants to remain the world’s leading economic and technological power, we must ensure that the energy system supporting that growth is reliable, affordable, and most importantly – abundant.

Conservative commentators on X are increasingly drawing attention to this. Unfortunately, while America is debating everything, China is building everything. Over the last decade, Beijing has rapidly expanded its electricity generation across virtually every resource category, from coal and nuclear to wind and solar. Their strategy is simple: build enough power to support industrial growth and technological leadership.

Fortunately, American voters appear to recognize what is at stake. A recent poll conducted by former Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway found that conservative voters overwhelmingly support expanding American energy production. The survey, conducted across key states including Indiana, Florida, Ohio, and Texas, found that 75 percent of Republican voters support solar energy, while more than 80 percent are concerned about the risk of rolling blackouts due to electricity shortages.

Communities across the country are seeing firsthand how rising electricity demand is reshaping the economy. That reality is challenging long-held assumptions about America’s energy mix. Energy development does not need to be a partisan issue. The United States will need more electricity from a wide range of sources including natural gas, nuclear, wind, solar, and emerging technologies if we hope to be able to support the industries that will define the next era of economic growth.

The path to global leadership runs directly through energy policy. The choice between reliability and innovation is a false one. With the right policies in place, both can be achieved. Doing so will require a renewed focus on building the infrastructure needed to support rising demand including new generation resources, expanded transmission networks, and policies that allow projects to move forward efficiently.

The AI revolution will reshape the global economy forever. The only question is whether the United States will unlock the energy abundance needed to lead it. China has already made its choice by rapidly expanding its power infrastructure across every available resource. If America wants to remain the world’s technological and economic powerhouse, we must meet this moment with the same urgency and build the required infrastructure to power the industries of the future.

In the end, the country that wins the AI race will be the country that can power it.

Conservative Energy Network (CEN) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit coalition of 26 state-based conservative clean energy organizations championing secure, reliable, affordable, clean American energy. Learn more at www.conservativeenergynetwork.org.