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2mo ago

Satellite Data Points to Delays at 40% of 2026 U.S. AI Data Centers

Shortages, grid strain, long lead times slow U.S. AI builds.

Meta Data center
A data center in Garland, Texas as seen through a drone's thermal imaging camera that primarily displays purple, orange, red and yellow colors to show heat signature.

Overview

  • Financial Times reporting Friday, based on SynMax satellite analysis, says roughly 40% of U.S. data center projects slated for 2026 will slip by three months or more.
  • OpenAI, Oracle, and SB Energy dispute the findings and say their Texas builds remain on schedule.
  • Construction leaders report a shortfall of specialist trades, including electricians and pipe fitters, which is dragging work across multiple sites.
  • Power limits at local utilities and long waits for transformers and gas turbines are delaying grid hookups for facilities that require massive electricity.
  • Financing has tightened, with some U.S. banks pulling back from Oracle-linked projects, adding cash flow risk to already tight build timelines.