Energy Company Expands AI Infrastructure Across U.S.

1. As of the date of this article, officers and/or employees of Streetwise Reports LLC (including members of their household) own securities of Jericho Energy Ventures Inc
2. James Guttman wrote this article for Streetwise Reports LLC and provides services to Streetwise Reports as an employee. 
3.  This article does not constitute investment advice and is not a solicitation for any investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her personal financial adviser and perform their own comprehensive investment research. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company. 

For additional disclosures, please click here.

Jericho Energy Ventures Inc. (JEV:TSX.V; JROOF:OTC; JLM:FRA) has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with M2 Development Solutions LLC to accelerate the buildout of artificial intelligence (AI) data centers across the United States. The agreement, signed on July 6, 2025, expands Jericho's presence beyond its Oklahoma asset base into Ohio and Nevada, incorporating M2's large-scale development sites.

The Ohio site spans 400 acres and includes access to utility power and on-site natural gas power generation assets. In Nevada, the 3,700-acre property offers a broader energy mix, including utility power access, on-site geothermal and solar capabilities, and natural gas-fed power generation. These features provide energy diversification options at a scale designed for AI data center operations, which demand substantial and reliable power sources.

"Our partnership with M2 is a transformative step in executing our AI data center strategy," said Brian Williamson, chief executive officer of Jericho Energy Ventures, in the release. "Integrating M2's gigawatt-scale sites accelerates our ability to deliver scalable, energy-efficient infrastructure for modern AI workloads." Williamson also credited the leadership of M2 co-founders Col. (retired) Mark Schonberg and Mark Vogel for their role in bringing technical and real estate development expertise to the collaboration.

Col. Schonberg is a 30-year U.S. Army veteran with experience in information technology, cybersecurity, and data center development, including his work on the CA$16 billion Yongsan relocation project in South Korea. Mark Vogel brings over four decades of experience in real estate and infrastructure development, having overseen projects such as the CA$400 million Bowie Town Center in Maryland.

AI Infrastructure and Energy Sector Overview

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the energy sector has continued to reshape how power is generated, distributed, and consumed, particularly as demand from data centers grows. According to the Consultancy Services Team in a March 2024 report, "AI is reshaping the energy sector, revolutionizing how power is generated, distributed, and consumed." The report identified applications of AI that span from renewable energy forecasting and predictive maintenance to smart grids and energy storage optimization.

In particular, AI has played a significant role in enabling smart grids, electricity supply networks that use digital communication to detect and react to changes in usage. The report noted that "smart grids equipped with AI can detect faults or disruptions in the grid," helping to reroute power and reduce service interruptions. These systems also provided enhanced resilience by adjusting electricity distribution in real time to avoid blackouts during peak demand periods.

Microgrids, or decentralized systems that generate, store, and distribute power locally, have become increasingly relevant in this context. In a May 28 article, Brad Meissner of Generac emphasized that "the integration of artificial intelligence is transforming this space, enabling more efficient, resilient and secure energy management solutions." He highlighted that current microgrid systems, while often bespoke and fragmented, have benefited from AI's ability to adapt dynamically, analyze variables like weather and tariffs, and optimize energy distribution in real time.

AI also enhanced the sustainability of energy systems by managing the balance between renewable inputs, such as solar and battery storage. Meissner wrote that "AI can optimize energy flows to ensure that power is distributed efficiently and at the lowest possible cost," thereby reducing waste and carbon emissions. These systems supported real-time responses to disruptions and improved energy security, particularly in critical infrastructure such as data centers.

The rise of AI-driven infrastructure has increased electricity demand from the data center industry, prompting policy responses at the state level. In a July 10 update, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio approved a framework that required large-scale data centers to shoulder 85% of their subscribed electricity usage costs, regardless of actual consumption. AEP Ohio president Marc Reitter stated, "It is critical to align data centers' demand for energy with the infrastructure costs needed to support their growth in Ohio." This regulatory approach aimed to ensure that traditional utility customers were not burdened by the infrastructure expenses required for large data center operations.

Positioning Through Infrastructure and Energy Integration

According to Jericho's July 2025 investor presentation, the company's AI data center strategy focuses on distributed "build-to-suit" edge centers, utilizing low-cost energy sources such as stranded or underutilized natural gas. By colocating infrastructure near energy sources and fiber backbones, Jericho seeks to reduce both energy transport losses and capital outlays related to site development.

The company's Oklahoma-based assets already include redundant fiber, multiple power options (including grid, natural gas, and renewables), and on-site water and physical security. The integration of M2's sites extends Jericho's infrastructure model into other key geographic regions, supporting energy availability and permitting optionality in development.

Additionally, the presentation highlights the rising costs of power in core data center markets and outlines how leveraging stranded natural gas can help lower operational expenditures. This model aligns with current projections from the International Energy Agency and McKinsey & Company, which expect U.S. data center electricity usage to rise sharply through 2030 due to the growing demands of AI technologies.

With access to natural gas generation and renewable sources, the Ohio and Nevada sites also support a diversified approach to powering high-performance computing infrastructure. Jericho's model emphasizes the ability to deliver fast-deployment energy solutions tailored to local energy profiles and grid limitations.

By pairing its energy strategy with site-specific data center builds, Jericho Energy Ventures continues to expand its infrastructure footprint in regions aligned with national fiber and power backbones. The MOU with M2 Development represents a step toward greater geographic and energy flexibility in the deployment of AI-ready facilities.

Analyst Highlights Growth Potential in AI-Powered Energy Strategy

Technical Analyst Clive Maund offered a favorable assessment of Jericho Energy Ventures in his April 1 report, highlighting the company's strategic use of its natural gas assets for AI data center development. He wrote that Jericho appeared to be "approaching the completion of a base pattern" and that the business was "on a solid footing." Maund pointed to the company's recently announced modular data center initiative, which aimed to convert natural gas reserves into on-site power for computing infrastructure. According to Maund, "this is potentially highly significant as the company has vast quantities of natural gas in the U.S. that can be used to feed power-hungry AI data centers."

He referenced the company's plan to oversee this effort from its Tulsa, Oklahoma office and cited management's view that Jericho was well positioned "to offer secure, modular, latest, and next-generation computing infrastructure tailored for AI applications." Maund also noted the stock's long-term chart activity, observing that it had reached a cyclical low and exhibited bullish indicators such as a strong accumulation line and moving average crossover. Based on both technical and strategic developments, Maund concluded that Jericho Energy Ventures was an "Immediate Speculative Buy."

Ownership and Share Structure

Around 41% of Jericho's shares are held by management and insiders, the company said. They include CEO Brian Williamson, who owns 1.38%; founder Allen Wilson, who owns 0.99%; and board member Nicholas Baxter, who owns 0.49%; according to Refinitiv's latest research.

Around 34% of shares are held by the company's "Top 10 external shareholders." The rest is in retail.

JEV's market cap is CA$48.53 million, and it trades in a 52-week range of CA$0.08 and CA$0.22. It has 303.3 million shares outstanding, about 220.28 million floating.