Mapping the Power Crunch
The world's hunger for electricity is surging. Data centers fueling AI, electric vehicle charging networks, and industrial projects are pushing aging grids to their limits. In London alone, the grid has run out of spare capacity for large-scale data centers until 2028. Yottar, a UK startup launched in 2025, addresses this challenge with detailed maps that pinpoint exactly where power is available for projects needing 1 to 5 megawatts, such as Amazon's data centers or Tesla's Supercharger hubs.
Yottar's platform pulls together utility data, grid-connection queues, and machine-learning forecasts to create a digital snapshot of the grid. Instead of waiting years for utilities to approve connections, developers can now query power availability in seconds. This is crucial, as 80% of grid applications currently fail due to capacity shortages, highlighting the urgent need for smarter planning.
Why Grids Are Struggling
Global grid-connection queues are staggering, with over 2 terawatts of generation and 500 gigawatts of load waiting for approval. The AI boom alone could demand 20 gigawatts by 2030. Meanwhile, utilities like UK Power Networks face backlogs as they juggle new connections with outdated infrastructure. Peter Clutton-Brock, Yottar's CEO, points out that the electrification surge and AI data center growth are hitting grids hard, leaving developers scrambling.
Utilities often guard capacity data closely, citing competition or security concerns. This opacity slows down projects, from EV charging stations to renewable energy sites. Yottar flips this dynamic by offering transparency, letting companies like BP Pulse or Microsoft see where power is available without endless back-and-forth with utilities.
Real-World Wins
London's data-center crisis, for example, saw a moratorium on new facilities that revealed zero spare capacity until 2028. This forced boroughs to rethink zoning and prioritize battery-storage projects. Yottar's maps helped developers identify viable sites faster, shaving 30 to 60% off selection timelines. In Wales, a local authority used Yottar's data to pair a 3-megawatt heat pump project with an industrial park upgrade, cutting grid fees by 25%.
These cases demonstrate Yottar's value: it maps power and speeds up decisions. Pilots with Tesla for Supercharger expansion and NHS England for hospital fleet charging saved hundreds of engineering hours. By tapping into daily data feeds from utilities like National Grid ESO, Yottar keeps its maps fresh, a significant improvement over older quarterly updates.
The Catch and the Counterargument
Yottar's approach isn't flawless. Its accuracy depends on utilities sharing timely data, which is not guaranteed outside the UK. Some utilities worry about cybersecurity risks or competitive disadvantages if capacity data goes public. Others argue that third-party maps like Yottar's could lead to false assumptions, as incomplete data might misguide developers. Grid planners emphasize that these tools complement formal interconnection studies, rather than replacing them.
Still, the benefits are hard to ignore. Transparent capacity data reduces speculative applications, freeing up utility resources. Regulators like Ofgem are pushing for open data, and in the US, FERC's 2023 order encourages queue transparency, aligning with Yottar's model. The startup's API and web tools make it accessible, leveling the playing field for smaller developers who can't afford custom studies.
Speeding Up the Energy Race
Yottar's work signals a broader shift. As grids groan under new demands, tools like its platform are becoming essential for electrification and decarbonization. By helping companies site projects faster, Yottar supports cleaner energy goals while navigating land-use debates. Its UK success, backed by pre-seed funding in 2025, hints at global potential, though scaling up means tackling data-sharing hurdles and regulatory patchwork.
For now, Yottar offers a practical lifeline for a power-hungry world. Developers gain speed, utilities get relief, and the grid inches closer to meeting tomorrow's needs. As AI and EVs reshape energy demands, startups like Yottar are clearing the path for progress, one megawatt at a time.