US Data Centers Spur Rapid Surge in New Gas-Powered Plants
Research released Tuesday shows that gas-fired capacity earmarked for U.S. data centers has jumped from 97 GW at the end of 2025 to over 189 GW by mid-2026.
A new report from Global Energy Monitor reveals that gas-fired capacity intended for U.S. data centers rose from 97 GW at the close of 2025 to more than 189 GW by mid-2026, a near-doubling in under a year. The surge underscores how artificial-intelligence workloads are driving tech firms to build private, behind-the-meter power plants that sidestep lengthy grid connections and may shield consumers from higher electricity bills.
The Trump administration promoted this approach through a voluntary pledge signed by companies such as Microsoft, Meta, Google and OpenAI, as well as several Republican governors and large utilities. Critics note that many of the planned plants use inefficient turbines, resulting in emissions that could exceed those of small nations annually. In contrast, China’s data-center growth is anchored in solar and hydropower, with only modest private-power projects. Although not all tracked projects will materialize, the potential completion of the full pipeline would cement substantial emissions for decades.
Why it matters
The expanding reliance on gas plants for data centers could lock in high carbon emissions while the U.S. misses a shift to cleaner energy.
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