Nearly 900 new data center construction projects are currently underway in the United States, representing a capacity of close to 300,000 megawatts (MW), compared to the current 17,000 MW across 600 operational data centers.
Power plants fueled by gas, authorized to supply these data centers, could emit more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere than countries like Jordan, Croatia, or Costa Rica.
In Amarillo, Texas, Fermi America plans to build what they claim as “the world’s largest data center.” Their project called “Matador” or “President Donald Trump Advanced Energy and Intelligence Campus” aims for a capacity of 17 GW.
Renewable energy sources already supply over a quarter (27%) of the electricity consumed by data centers globally. However, delays in deploying new capacities and connecting them to the grid are prompting some companies to consider gas-specific power supplies to ensure their electrical needs are met.
A popular solution involves installing smaller gas turbines directly on data center sites, offering a quicker deployment and cost-efficient alternative to traditional power plants. These turbines, used in developments like Grok in Memphis, Tennessee, emit more greenhouse gases per unit of electricity produced than conventional power plants.
Companies in the AI sector constructing data centers have seen a surge in electrical equipment purchases, particularly gas turbines. The demand for gas turbines has increased by 60% in a year, with orders for substations, switchgear, and transformers nearly doubling.
This shift towards gas-powered solutions may impact environmental regulations and energy consumption trends in the data center industry.
