he rapid growth of AI data centers is reshaping global energy priorities, fueling a surge in gas power development while raising new concerns about long-term climate commitments.
The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure is reshaping the global energy landscape, with gas power generation emerging as a key beneficiary. As demand for high-capacity computing accelerates, particularly from AI data centers, the United States has taken a leading role in a worldwide increase in new natural gas power projects.
Recent industry assessments show that gas-fired power generation under development worldwide climbed by more than 30 percent in 2025. The United States accounts for nearly one-quarter of this growth, surpassing China as the country with the largest increase in planned gas power capacity. A significant share of these new facilities is being designed to meet the rising electricity demand of large-scale data centers, reflecting how digital infrastructure is influencing long-term energy planning.
The surge is being driven by expectations that AI electricity demand will continue to rise as companies deploy more advanced hardware to support generative models and cloud computing services. While projections vary and uncertainty remains over how deeply AI will be embedded across industries, utilities and developers are moving forward with gas power plants as a fast and relatively affordable solution to near-term energy needs.
However, this shift raises concerns about the pace of the clean energy transition. Analysts warn that expanding fossil fuel infrastructure to support data center energy demand could slow progress toward renewable energy adoption. There is also growing risk that some of these gas projects may become stranded assets if projected power consumption fails to materialize or if climate regulations tighten.
Gas is often positioned as a cleaner alternative to coal due to lower carbon dioxide emissions during combustion. Yet methane emissions released during gas production and transportation present a significant climate challenge. Methane is a highly potent greenhouse gas, and its impact on global warming remains a central issue in debates over future energy policy.
The scale of proposed projects suggests that 2026 could mark a historic year for gas power expansion in the United States. If all planned developments proceed, the increase in capacity would exceed previous records, including those set during the early 2000s shale gas revolution. This momentum highlights a broader shift in US energy policy driven by digital growth rather than traditional industrial demand.
Globally, the renewed focus on gas power stands in contrast to international climate commitments. Under the Paris Climate Agreement, countries pledged to limit global warming by rapidly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and moving toward net zero emissions around mid-century. Achieving those targets will require a substantial reduction in fossil fuel use and a faster transition to renewable energy alternatives.
As AI data centers continue to influence future energy demand, policymakers and industry leaders face a critical balancing act. Decisions made today about gas power plants and fossil fuel infrastructure may shape the trajectory of climate change mitigation efforts for decades to come.
