Surging Energy Demand from Data Centers
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Apr 29 2026
0mins
Should l Buy FCEL?
Source: Fool
- Surging Energy Consumption: Modern AI data centers require 60 kilowatts per rack, significantly higher than the 5 to 10 kilowatts of traditional centers, straining the power grid and prompting tech firms to seek self-sourced power solutions.
- Bloom Energy's Success: Bloom Energy deployed power for Oracle's data center in just 55 days, well ahead of the 90-day timeline, with a current backlog of $20 billion, including $6 billion for solid-oxide fuel cell products, indicating strong market demand.
- FuelCell Energy's Market Pivot: FuelCell Energy has introduced a standardized 12.5 megawatt power block designed to meet data center energy needs quickly, expected to be deployable in months, positioning itself competitively in a growing market.
- Capacity Expansion Plans: FuelCell aims to increase its production capacity from 100 megawatts to 350 megawatts annually at its Connecticut facility to address a 275% growth in its business pipeline, although it still lags behind Bloom Energy's 2 gigawatt target and faces execution risks.
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Analyst Views on FCEL
Wall Street analysts forecast FCEL stock price to fall
4 Analyst Rating
0 Buy
3 Hold
1 Sell
Hold
Current: 13.700
Low
7.00
Averages
9.33
High
12.00
Current: 13.700
Low
7.00
Averages
9.33
High
12.00
About FCEL
FuelCell Energy, Inc. is engaged in delivering distributed baseload energy platform solutions through its proprietary fuel cell technology. It develops commercial technologies that produce clean electricity, heat, clean hydrogen, and water. Its commercial product portfolio is based on its carbonate electrochemical platform. Its carbonate electrochemical platform supports power generation and combined heat and power applications using a variety of fuels, including a 50/50 blend of hydrogen and natural gas or biogas blends, biogas, renewable natural gas, and natural gas. It offers its products in different configurations for a range of power and chemical applications, including electricity, hydrogen, heat (including steam), water and carbon-di-oxide (CO2) upgradable to food and beverage grade and/or usable in cement or other industrial products, and to concentrate and separate CO2 from fossil-fueled industrial applications allowing the sequestration and/or utilization of the CO2.
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
- Significant Price Surge: FuelCell Energy (FCEL) shares soared 11.6% in the last trading session, closing at $13.7, with trading volume significantly exceeding normal levels, indicating strong investor confidence in the company's future prospects.
- Rising Electricity Demand: The rapid growth in electricity demand from AI applications at data centers has created substantial market opportunities for alternative energy providers like FuelCell Energy, driving the recent stock price increase.
- New Product Launch: The company's newly launched 12.5-megawatt fuel cell platform, designed for large-scale data center operations, enhances its competitive position in the rapidly growing electricity market and is expected to drive future revenue growth.
- Optimistic Earnings Outlook: Although a quarterly loss of $0.57 per share is anticipated, revenues are expected to reach $41.11 million, reflecting a 9.9% year-over-year increase, showcasing the company's ongoing growth potential in fuel cell solutions.
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- Performance Recovery: Plug Power's revenue topped $700 million in 2025, marking a nearly 13% increase year-over-year, indicating a gradual restoration of market confidence and improved financial performance under new leadership.
- Major Contract Award: The company announced in April that it secured a contract to supply a 275-megawatt electrolyzer system for the Hy2gen project in Canada, representing a significant advancement in its turnaround strategy and showcasing its competitiveness in the hydrogen market.
- Financial Challenges: Despite revenue growth, Plug Power reported a net loss of $1.69 billion in 2025, highlighting the high-risk financial situation the company faces, necessitating cautious evaluation of its long-term return potential by investors.
- Future Outlook: The new CEO anticipates achieving positive EBITDA by the end of fiscal 2026 and potentially reaching profitability by 2028, although the competitive landscape in the hydrogen industry remains fierce, and successful execution of the plan will require time and disciplined management.
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- Significant Revenue Growth: Plug Power's revenue reached $700 million in 2025, reflecting a 12.9% increase year-over-year, indicating effective implementation of its turnaround strategy under new CEO leadership, which enhances market confidence.
- Positive Gross Margin: The company achieved a gross margin of 2.4% in 2025, marking an improvement in its financial health that could attract more investor interest in its future developments.
- Major Contract Awarded: In April, Plug announced a 275-megawatt electrolyzer contract, demonstrating its competitiveness in the hydrogen industry and a rebound in market demand, further solidifying its position in the sector.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: The new CEO anticipates achieving positive EBITDA by the end of fiscal 2026 and potential profitability by 2028, although the company still faces high risks and intense competition, yet the market remains cautiously optimistic about its prospects.
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- Stock Surge: Fuelcell Energy shares rose 5.6% in Wednesday's after-hours trading, primarily driven by Bloom Energy's strong Q1 results, reflecting growing market optimism about alternative energy; if gains persist, FCEL is on track for its best monthly performance in over five years.
- Pipeline Growth: The company recently announced a 275% increase in its business development pipeline since February 2025, with most growth attributed to data center customers, indicating strong potential in the rapidly expanding clean energy market.
- Q2 Earnings Expectations: Fuelcell Energy is set to report its Q2 results on June 5, with analysts forecasting an 11% revenue growth to $41.64 million; if Bloom Energy's performance serves as an indicator, Fuelcell is likely to exceed expectations.
- Retail Sentiment Shift: On Stocktwits, retail sentiment around FCEL stock jumped from 'bullish' to 'extremely bullish' in the past 24 hours, indicating a significant increase in investor attention and confidence, although some investors expressed concerns about potential short-term pullbacks.
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- Stock Surge: Plug Power's shares closed at $3.41 on Wednesday, marking a 12.54% increase driven by an analyst target hike and a sector-wide fuel cell rally, indicating a renewed market confidence in hydrogen fuel cells.
- Volume Spike: Trading volume reached 132 million shares, approximately 55% above the three-month average of 84.1 million shares, reflecting strong investor interest in Plug Power's future performance ahead of its upcoming earnings report.
- Earnings Focus: Investors are keenly awaiting the May 11 earnings report for updates on margin and cash burn progress, which will directly impact the company's financial health and market performance moving forward.
- Industry Dynamics: While Bloom Energy's strong performance has boosted market sentiment, Plug Power's hydrogen fuel cell application opportunities are limited; however, analyst Tim Moore raised the price target to $3.50, reflecting confidence in its growth potential.
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- Stock Surge: Plug Power's shares closed at $3.41 on Wednesday, marking a 12.54% increase, primarily driven by an analyst target hike and a sector-wide fuel cell rally, indicating sustained market interest in hydrogen energy.
- Volume Spike: Trading volume reached 130.2 million shares, approximately 55% above the three-month average of 84.1 million shares, suggesting a significant increase in investor interest that may signal future market trends.
- Earnings Report Watch: Investors are keenly awaiting the May 11 earnings report for updates on margin and cash burn progress, which will be crucial for Plug Power's future performance, especially as it aims for break-even adjusted EBITDA by the end of the year.
- Industry Dynamics: While Bloom Energy's earnings report boosted market sentiment, Plug Power faces limitations in hydrogen fuel cell application opportunities; analyst Tim Moore raised the price target to $3.50, reflecting cautious optimism about its future potential.
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