Data Centres Are Driving a US Gas Boom

Summary

New research from Global Energy Monitor shows a dramatic surge in gas-fired power projects tied to data centres in the US. Over the past two years the amount of gas capacity explicitly linked to data-centre power needs has grown roughly 25-fold, with more than a third of new pipeline demand attributed to facilities that will serve those sites. If the full pipeline is built, the US gas fleet could expand by nearly 50 percent—raising significant climate and policy questions amid a regulatory rollback on methane and other controls.

Key Points

Global Energy Monitor tracked a jump from ~4 GW (early 2024) to >97 GW (2025) of gas projects explicitly for data centres — about 25× growth in two years.
If all gas projects in development proceed, the US could add almost 252 GW of gas-fired power—nearly a 50% increase to the current fleet.
More than one-third of new gas demand in the pipeline is explicitly linked to data centres; this equates to energy enough to power tens of millions of homes.
Policy context matters: the Trump administration has eased some pollution rules and delayed methane-regulation deadlines, increasing the risk of higher emissions.
Methane leakage from extraction is a major worry — methane is ~80× more potent than CO2 over 20 years — so large gas build-outs could worsen near-term warming unless leaks are controlled.
Developers are also building on-site gas turbines and other local power sources because grid interconnection waits can be years long.
Not all proposed projects will be built: many are in early planning, developers often shop between utilities, and a global shortage of gas turbines means many projects lack manufacturers.
Current most-likely additions (under construction) would add ~30 GW; an additional ~159 GW are in preconstruction planning and finance phases.

Content summary

Global Energy Monitor compiled state filings, air-quality permits and company announcements to map the US pipeline of gas-fired power. The group found explosive recent growth in projects tied to data centres, which are racing to secure reliable electricity for AI and cloud workloads. Utilities are responding by planning large new gas capacity and, in some cases, extending the life of coal plants.

Although natural gas emits less CO2 than coal when burned, the net climate impact depends heavily on methane leaks during production. Experts quoted in the reporting warn that without strict leakage controls and regulation, the surge in gas infrastructure could undercut near-term climate progress.

The report stresses uncertainty: many proposals inflate headline numbers because developers pursue multiple options, turbine shortages slow build-out, and efficiency gains in AI and data-centre design could reduce future demand. Still, even a partial realisation of the pipeline would be material for US emissions and energy planning.

Context and relevance

This story sits at the intersection of the AI/data-centre boom, energy infrastructure and climate policy. As AI demand drives new large facilities, planners and regulators face trade-offs between meeting urgent power needs and avoiding a long-term lock-in of fossil-fuel infrastructure. The piece is timely given current US policy moves that ease industry rules and delay methane controls — decisions that directly affect near-term emissions trajectories.

Author style

Punchy: WIRED lays out clear figures and quotes to show this isn’t a niche infrastructure story — it’s a potentially large shift in how the US sources electricity for the digital economy. Read the detail if you want the scale, the policy links, and the practical reasons why some of these projects may never reach completion.

Why should I read this?

Look — if you care about where the AI boom gets its power (and how that affects bills, emissions and local planning), this one packs the numbers and the stakes. It explains why data centres are now a major driver of new gas projects, why methane rules and turbine shortages matter, and what could actually get built versus what’s just punditry.