The volt ants provided by the system could generate nearly one million kilowatt-hours of electricity per day. At an average price of 60 cents per kilowatt-hour, this brought in over 600,000 credits daily. The only real expense was the one-time installation of circuit equipment.
Once a circuit was laid for a new customer, there were no significant ongoing costs. Labor and maintenance were negligible compared to the enormous profits.
Because the cost of circuit-laying was borne upfront, most buildings and residential communities signed exclusive contracts with a single power supplier.
At present, Harbor Energy Group, the third-largest power plant in Brightwave City, supplied electricity to 78 residential communities, 13 office buildings, and eight surrounding towns.
On average, those office buildings and towns consumed more than 300,000 kilowatt-hours daily, which generated close to 200,000 credits in revenue per day.
The first- and second-ranked power plants had already monopolized most of the Brightwave market. Nathan Cole knew he had to expand aggressively if Harbor Energy was to break through.
He studied the latest reports and concluded that his best entry point wasn't ordinary households—it was factories and industrial enterprises. These were the largest consumers of electricity and had zero tolerance for power outages.
Residents could endure brief blackouts with only a few complaints, but factories faced real financial losses when machines stopped.
Nathan Cole began listing potential clients.
Meanwhile, in the Stonebridge Cement Plant, the rumble of machinery suddenly ceased.
As the third-largest enterprise in Brightwave City, Stonebridge Cement supplied the bulk of the region's construction industry. From real estate developers to families building their own homes, everyone used their cement. The company's annual turnover was enormous, making it a pillar taxpayer in the city.
In his office overlooking the sprawling factory, Chairman Leonard Stone frowned. He had just closed a massive order with a major developer for an industrial park in the western suburbs. The timeline was tight, so he had come in person from headquarters to supervise production.
But now, at the most critical moment, the factory had gone dark.
He didn't need anyone to explain—it was another power outage.
"Damn these power companies," Leonard growled, slamming his lighter onto the desk. "Quick to collect fees, but never reliable when we need power most."
Moments later, his secretary confirmed his suspicion. The Riverstone Power Plant, which supplied the cement factory, had called to admit there was a supply gap. The ongoing heatwave had strained their grid, and they couldn't deliver consistent electricity.
Fury burned on Leonard's face. "Second time this month! Tell them we're done. I don't care—find me another supplier!"
The secretary nodded nervously and hurried out.
As the smoke from his cigarette curled upward, Leonard sighed. Over the years he had switched power plants three times, yet every one of them had failed him eventually. None could deliver 24-hour stability.
Stonebridge Cement consumed over 400,000 kilowatt-hours daily, making it one of the largest electricity users in the region.
Other major power consumers included the Golden Harvest Foods Processing Plant, which required 70,000 to 100,000 kilowatt-hours daily, and the sprawling Brightwave Industrial Park, home to more than 20 companies, with total consumption reaching 800,000 kilowatt-hours daily.
The industrial park was too large for Harbor Energy Group to serve at this stage, but factories like Stonebridge Cement were perfect stepping stones.
If he could win contracts with them, Nathan Cole would gain not only revenue but also power value to expand his volt ant colonies.
Early the next morning, Nathan Cole drove his second-hand Audi to the Stonebridge Cement Plant.
At the gate, he explained that he was there to discuss business. The guard, noting both his professional demeanor and the fact that he arrived in an Audi—even a used one—allowed him to enter after a quick registration.
Inside, Nathan Cole parked in the lot, grabbed the neatly prepared contract from his bag, and walked toward the administration building.
The contrast was stark. Outside, rugged men in dusty helmets handled machinery. Inside, the offices bustled with neatly dressed clerks, most of them recent university graduates. The cement plant was clearly a regional heavyweight employer.
At the reception desk, a young woman greeted him with a polished smile.
"Hello, sir, who are you here to see?"
Nathan Cole returned the smile. "Please let President Stone know I'm here. I'd like to discuss a potential power supply partnership."