The Indispensable Metal
Copper has been the standard for electrical wiring since the late nineteenth century, following the commercial adoption of the electric light and the telephone. Its high conductivity and ductility made it far more practical than iron or steel for carrying current over distances. By the early twentieth century, copper wire formed the backbone of urban power grids, telephone networks, and home electrical systems—a role it has held for more than a century. The metal resists corrosion, handles heat well, and is easily joined, making it the preferred choice for most electrical applications.
In today’s data centers, copper remains the backbone of electrical infrastructure. It runs through power distribution cables, grounding systems, and cooling equipment. A typical large data center uses between 50,000 and 100,000 pounds of copper, according to the Copper Development Association. That copper is essential for safely delivering the enormous power loads required by AI servers, which consume up to 10 times more electricity than traditional servers. Without it, the servers cannot operate. The metal’s role is so critical that builders face a stark choice: use the vulnerable material or risk systems that cannot meet performance requirements.
Construction Sites Under Siege
The thefts are not random. Thieves target both raw copper wire and finished components such as bus bars and transformers. The copper is often installed in accessible areas during construction, making it vulnerable to quick removal. With the scrap value of copper in early 2025 at roughly $4 per pound, a single theft of 1,000 pounds nets $4,000 in quick cash. The financial impact extends beyond the value of the metal itself. Security experts note that when wiring must be reinstalled, labor costs add 20 to 30 percent to the material cost. A $50,000 copper order, for example, could require an additional $10,000 to $15,000 for reinstallation.
The rapid pace of AI data center construction exacerbates the problem. According to the Uptime Institute, more than 100 new facilities are planned in the United States in 2025 alone. Each one is a potential target. The pattern mirrors previous surges in scrap-metal theft that spiked during price spikes over earlier decades, when thieves targeted construction sites, utilities, and vacant buildings. Now that pattern has collided with an unprecedented building boom for data centers, creating a persistent vulnerability that delays projects and drives up costs.
Alternative Materials and the Performance Tradeoff
Security experts recommend using copper-clad steel or aluminum alternatives to reduce the incentive for theft. However, these materials are less conductive than pure copper. For AI workloads, which demand high power loads and precise electrical performance, such alternatives may not meet the requirements. That leaves builders in a bind: use the vulnerable metal and absorb the risk of theft, or switch to a less conductive option that could compromise system performance. The dilemma is acute for an industry already racing to meet surging demand for computing power, where any delay or performance shortfall carries significant consequences.
The result is a growing challenge for the nation’s data center infrastructure. The very qualities that make copper indispensable—its conductivity, durability, and ease of use—also make it a prime target. As long as the metal remains on exposed construction sites at a scrap value of $4 per pound, the threat is unlikely to diminish. By nightfall, another construction site will be locked down. The copper will still be there—for now.
