AI Datacentres Plan 181GW of On-Site Gas Power as Grid Delays Threaten 345 Million Tonnes
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Nov 11
AI Datacentres Plan 181GW of On-Site Gas Power as Grid Delays Threaten 345 Million Tonnes
1 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Nov 11
Summary
181GW of on-site gas-fired capacity is being planned for AI datacentres across the US, UK and mainland Europe as developers bypass slow grid connections, according to BloombergNEF research published Wednesday.
345 million metric tonnes of CO2 equivalent a year could result in the US alone if the rollout proceeds, with about 90% of the planned on-site gas capacity concentrated there.
2,354 terawatt-hours of AI datacentre electricity demand is projected by 2035—nearly four times current levels and about 7% of global power use—intensifying the push for rapid power access.
More than 100 UK datacentre gas-connection inquiries were made in 2024-25, and projects including Wapseys Wood and Quest Park are seeking their own gas plants after long waits for grid access.
Turkey's COP31 and the EU's first dedicated AI summit in Dublin now face the same tension: whether faster grid connections and cleaner generation can keep AI expansion from locking in fossil-fuel use.
Why are everyday households suddenly footing the bill for the explosive and costly energy demands of private AI data centers?
Are tech giants quietly sacrificing global climate goals to win the AI race with massive new fossil-fuel plants?
AI’s 100 GW Gas Surge: The Data Center Power Crisis and Its Impact on Grids, Emissions, and Local Resistance
Overview
The explosive growth of artificial intelligence and hyperscale computing has overwhelmed traditional U.S. power grids, leading to years-long delays for data center connections and surging electricity costs. In response, tech companies are rapidly building on-site natural gas power plants, which now make up a large share of new gas capacity. This shift has driven up residential electricity rates and sparked widespread community backlash, including lawsuits and local moratoriums. As tech giants face mounting opposition and environmental concerns, they are also investing in clean energy parks and advanced storage, while regulators and lawmakers struggle to balance economic growth, climate goals, and public resistance.