A Bloomberg News analysis reveals that data center developers are planning 99 bespoke natural-gas power plants tracked by BloombergNEF. These proposed plants could emit 318 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually, potentially boosting United States power sector emissions by 20% to 33% compared to the 1,485 million metric tons emitted in 2025. This surge in fossil-fuel generation threatens the climate goals of major technology companies.
Data center gas plant construction
- ▪The adoption of bespoke natural-gas power plants by data center developers threatens to make it more difficult for United States technology companies to meet their climate goals
- ▪Data center developers are turning to bespoke natural-gas power plants to meet energy demands, according to a Bloomberg News analysis published on August 18, 2026
- ▪BloombergNEF is tracking 99 proposed natural-gas power plants designed to support data center infrastructure
US power sector emissions impact
- ▪The entire United States electric power industry emitted approximately 1,485 million metric tons of carbon in 2025, according to Energy Information Administration data
- ▪The proposed data center gas plants have the potential to increase United States power sector emissions by 20%, and up to 33% if the plants run at full capacity
- ▪The 99 proposed data center gas plants tracked by BloombergNEF would emit approximately 318 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually if run at industry-standard rates
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