United States builds more gas power plants than China for data centers
Business · 26 August 2026
Written by AI from multiple news reports
The United States has overtaken China in gas power construction, driven by demand from AI data centres, according to a mid-2026 report by Global Energy Monitor.
American gas power projects under construction rose 76% in the first half of 2026, reaching 52 GW. Overall, the U.S. now has nearly three times more gas capacity in development than China. Total planned capacity has grown from 252 GW to 378 GW since January 2026.
Tech companies are building private gas plants to power data centres that run artificial intelligence systems. Capacity planned specifically for data centres has nearly doubled, from 97 GW to 189 GW. Texas alone accounts for 122 GW of planned gas development. If all projects are completed, the cost will exceed $647 billion.