Behind-The-Meter
Behind-the-meter (BTM) generation: power produced on the customer's side of the utility meter, not supplied via the grid, avoiding grid interconnection queues.
Last refreshed: 26 April 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Does behind-the-meter generation help data centres avoid climate accountability as well as grid queues?
Timeline for behind-the-meter
Mentioned in: Pure DC's 110 MW Dublin microgrid skips queue
Data Centres: Boom and BacklashxAI wins 41 gas turbines for Colossus
Data Centres: Boom and BacklashGE Vernova gas backlog hits 80 GW into 2029
Data Centres: Boom and Backlash- What is behind-the-meter generation for data centres?
- behind-the-meter generation means a data centre generates its own power onsite, without drawing from the utility grid. It bypasses grid-connection queues and is not subject to grid connection regulations, but requires its own generation permits.Source: Lowdown data-centres briefing
- How big are behind-the-meter data centre installations?
- The largest behind-the-meter data centre installation is xAI's Colossus in Memphis at 1.2 GW (41 gas turbines). Meta's El Paso facility uses 366 MW BTM. Pure DC's Dublin microgrid is 110 MW. GE Vernova's 80 GW turbine backlog is driven primarily by BTM orders.Source: Lowdown data-centres briefing
Background
behind-the-meter (BTM) generation refers to electricity generation installed at a facility that feeds power directly to on-site loads without flowing through the public electricity grid or a utility meter. For data centres, BTM has become the primary strategy for bypassing grid-connection queues that stretch to three years or more in constrained markets.
BTM data centre deployments range from natural gas turbines (xAI Colossus, 1.2 GW; Meta El Paso, 366 MW) to renewable microgrids (Pure DC Dublin, 110 MW). The common characteristic is that none of the power passes through a utility connection point, which means the facility avoids connection queue wait times and is not subject to grid-related regulatory requirements.
BTM is distinct from grid-connected facilities with backup generation: in BTM architecture, onsite generation is the primary power source, not a backup. The distinction matters for regulators, who have historically applied different permitting frameworks to backup generators (typically exempt from grid regulations) than to primary supply sources.