Overview
- GEM’s new analysis shows U.S. gas and oil power projects in development nearly tripled in 2025 to 251,737 MW, putting the U.S. at roughly a quarter of the global pipeline and ahead of China.
- More than a third of new U.S. gas capacity in development is explicitly tied to data centers, including both on-site turbines and grid-connected projects to serve AI-driven demand.
- If every project proceeds, the U.S. gas fleet would grow by nearly 50 percent with about 252 GW added, contributing an estimated 12.1 billion tonnes of lifetime CO2 out of 53.2 billion tonnes globally.
- Only about 30 GW are under construction with roughly 159 GW in preconstruction, and many proposals face hurdles such as developers shopping for power and a turbine shortage leaving most projects without manufacturers.
- GEM notes 2026 is on pace to exceed the 2002 record for new gas deployment as the Trump administration rolls back pollution rules and extends methane compliance timelines while major tech firms signal openness to gas, including Microsoft’s interest in gas with carbon capture and Meta’s 2,262 MW plan.