Vinson & Elkins Survey Finds Power Constraints Reshaping AI Infrastructure Growth

Vinson & Elkins announced in a press release the results of its AI Power and Infrastructure Pulse Survey, which found that while investment in AI-related data centers remains strong, power constraints are increasingly shaping where and how projects move forward. The survey, conducted in March 2026, included 200 senior infrastructure developers and private capital investors.

According to the findings, 89 percent of investors believe current capital spending on AI data centers is sustainable for the next one to five years. However, 96 percent of infrastructure developers expect that limited power availability will shift data center growth to new regions. Nearly all respondents said power infrastructure cannot keep pace with current development demand.

More than 80 percent of participants reported adopting hybrid or off-grid energy solutions such as microgrids and on-site generation. Developers are prioritizing faster interconnection processes, while investors are focusing on projects with secured power and long-term supply agreements.

The firm noted that the AI infrastructure market is evolving toward decentralized and flexible energy systems. Vinson & Elkins has advised on more than 75 data center and power transactions worth about 125 billion dollars over the past two years, covering more than 30 jurisdictions worldwide.