Today, we're talking about data centres and the global arms race to develop them. What is driving that demand? What are the demands of the AI sector, and how is technology changing to meet them? What does that mean for the twin imperatives of providing the energy to run the data centres as well as to cool them? How will the energy sector meet those demands, and what opportunities will it generate?
Speaking to our host Paul Chapman on this episode is Adam Mirick. Adam is Head of Strategy for Prometheus Hyperscale, which is developing the next generation of data centres here in the US, as well as globally. Adam has had a stellar career in the energy markets and was most recently the head of U.S. power trading at BP.
Key Talent Takeaways
Surge In Demand For Hybrid Energy And Infrastructure Specialists
As hyperscale data centres become the dominant energy consumers, there is a growing demand for professionals who understand both traditional energy systems (e.g., gas, nuclear, thermal) and new technologies, such as behind-the-meter generation, hybrid geothermal, and grid interconnection. The market requires cross-functional engineers and project leads who can design and build complex, multi-layered energy systems at speed and scale.
New Skillsets Are Emerging Around Cooling Technologies And Power Density
Liquid and immersion cooling are now central to data centre operations, driving demand for niche skills in thermal engineering, fluid systems, and mechanical cooling design. Talent that previously sat in industrial or aerospace sectors may now find opportunities in AI infrastructure as companies seek to manage high thermal loads in power-dense environments.
Regulatory, Permitting And Power Access Expertise Is Becoming Strategic
Given the pressure to rapidly deploy gigawatt-scale data centres, there is an increasing demand for talent with deep regulatory knowledge, especially in permitting, transmission access, and interconnection. Energy professionals with experience navigating public utilities, land use, and environmental approvals are becoming essential partners in growth.
The AI Build-Out Is Redefining Energy Trading And Load Forecasting Roles
The unpredictable and spiky load profiles of AI workloads mean power traders, demand forecasters, and system planners are retooling. Talent that can integrate AI-driven compute behaviours into power market dynamics — especially around volatility and reliability — will play a critical role in optimising dispatch, contracts, and investment decisions.
Rising Pressure for Talent in Next-Gen Cooling and Power Infrastructure
There is a growing shortage of specialists with the expertise to support hyperscale operations. From chip-aware cooling engineers to power system reliability experts, organisations are facing an increasingly competitive landscape. Aggressive hiring, cross-sector talent moves, and large-scale retraining initiatives are already underway across the energy, tech, and digital infrastructure sectors.
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