The United States has overtaken China in building new gas-fired power capacity, driven by a rapid expansion of AI-hungry data centers, according to Global Energy Monitor. U.S. gas projects under construction jumped 76% in the first half of the year, with total capacity in development rising 50% to 378 gigawatts—about a third of the global pipeline and potentially $647 billion in capital outlays. Roughly half of the new capacity is tied to upcoming data centers, a shift that could lift U.S. power-sector emissions by up to 20% if gas displaces renewables. The buildout is straining turbine supply chains and prompting developers to opt for smaller, less efficient units. While local pushback has led to new restrictions, including a New York moratorium on hyperscale facilities, the Trump administration has moved to streamline approvals as the IEA forecasts U.S. fossil-fuel power investment will outpace China’s for the first time in decades.
AI data-center surge propels U.S. to double China’s new gas power buildout, report says
- Trending
- Comments
- Latest
