A recent report highlights the United States’ leading role in a global surge of gas-fired power generation, driven largely by the burgeoning demands of artificial intelligence (AI). If current gas projects are completed, they are projected to emit a staggering 12.1 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide over their operational lifetimes, significantly exacerbating climate change challenges.
A Record Surge in Gas Capacity
According to findings from Global Energy Monitor (GEM), 2026 is expected to witness unprecedented growth in gas power capacity worldwide, with planned and ongoing projects poised to nearly triple existing figures. The US is at the forefront of this expansion, having tripled its planned gas capacity in 2025 alone. A substantial portion of this new energy generation—approximately one-third of the 252 gigawatts currently under development—will be dedicated to powering massive datacenters that support AI technologies.
Experts warn that this gas expansion comes with critical environmental costs. Research indicates that the lifetime emissions from these projects could double the current annual emissions across all sources in the US. Globally, the anticipated gas boom could contribute an alarming 53.2 billion tonnes of emissions, further intensifying climate-related disasters such as heatwaves and floods.
The AI Factor Driving Demand
The surge in gas capacity is closely tied to the insatiable energy requirements of expanding datacenters. These facilities, essential for AI development, have been championed by political leaders like Donald Trump, who emphasised the need for the US to dominate the AI landscape. However, the rapid growth of these datacenters has raised significant concerns regarding their environmental impact.
Jenny Martos, a project manager at GEM, cautioned that committing to new gas plants to satisfy uncertain AI energy needs risks entrenching decades of pollution. She urged the US to reconsider its energy strategy and focus on flexible, renewable sources instead.
Global Context: The US and Beyond
While the US leads the charge in gas expansion, other nations are also investing heavily in fossil fuels. China, for instance, added a record 22.4 gigawatts of gas capacity last year, making it the largest carbon emitter worldwide. In comparison, the US accounts for nearly a quarter of all global gas capacity currently in development, followed by countries like Vietnam, Iraq, and Brazil.
Texas has emerged as the epicentre of this gas boom, with 57.9 gigawatts of new capacity underway last year. As new projects continue to be announced, the US is on track to surpass the previous record of 100 gigawatts of new gas capacity achieved in 2002.
Local Backlash and Economic Implications
The rapid proliferation of datacenters has sparked significant public concern, particularly regarding rising electricity bills and the facilities’ substantial water usage. Critics have pointed out that while these projects promise jobs and economic growth, they also come with hidden costs that burden local communities.
Steve Clemmer, director of energy research at the Union of Concerned Scientists, noted that electricity demand could skyrocket by 60% in the US by 2050 due to these datacenters. This increase in demand may lead to further hikes in energy prices for average households, even as political leaders promise to alleviate costs.
In Pennsylvania, plans to convert a former coal plant into the largest gas-fired facility in the US to support a datacentre have divided local opinion. As Tom Pike from the Clean Air Council explained, while some residents may feel nostalgic for the coal plant, there are grave concerns about living near a datacentre, particularly regarding emissions and the prioritisation of private profits over public welfare.
Why it Matters
The ongoing expansion of gas-fired power generation in the US, particularly in the context of AI’s rapid growth, poses significant challenges for climate action. As nations grapple with the urgency of transitioning to renewable energy sources, the US’s commitment to fossil fuels could hinder global efforts to mitigate climate change. The critical question remains: will the US choose to invest in a sustainable energy future or persist with a fossil fuel-dependent model that may have dire consequences for the planet?