Delta says AI power gap will drive standalone microgrids

Delta Electronics chairman Ping Cheng said at the 2026 Global Views Leaders Forum on October 15 that AI data centers and EVs are pushing electricity demand beyond supply. Delta is expanding into integrated microgrids with solid oxide fuel cells (85% efficiency) and solid-state transformers (92% efficiency), with SOFC mass production planned for 2027.

• Capex of the four major US cloud providers grows about 4.7x faster than the power system
• US AI sector could face a power shortfall of over 40GW by 2028
• Delta's SOFCs with heat recovery reach 85% efficiency vs 36% for conventional generators
• Solid-state transformers raise conversion efficiency to 92%