Data Center Energy Demand Drives Global Surge in Gas Power Plant Construction
By
Justine Calma
Toasted golden, schmeared with insight. Top of the rack.
Summary
The article reports on a significant global surge in gas-fired power plant construction, primarily driven by growing energy demands from data centers, especially those supporting generative AI. The US has become the global leader in this expansion, surpassing China, with over a third of new US gas capacity expected to directly power data centers. This trend raises environmental concerns as increased gas usage leads to more planet-heating pollution.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledGas-fired power generation in development globally rose by 31 percent in 2025.
Almost a quarter of that added capacity is slated for the US, which has surpassed China with the biggest increase of any country.
More than a third of that growth in the US is expected to directly power data centers, according to a recent analysis by the nonprofit Global Energy Monitor (GEM).
More gas means more planet-heating pollution.
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