US data centers could consume more natural gas than Germany and Japan combined by 2035

The AI race has intensified to the point where U.S. data centers are projected to consume more natural gas by 2035 than Germany and Japan combined. According to a new report from BloombergNEF, data centers are expected to become the second-largest driver of natural gas demand growth, potentially consuming 18 billion cubic feet per day. Major tech companies, including Meta, Microsoft, Google, and Amazon, have announced plans for onsite natural gas power plants to bypass the grid. These projects alone could consume up to 3.4 billion cubic feet per day by 2035. Furthermore, grid-connected data centers are expected to drive an additional 15 billion cubic feet of demand per day. Analysts warn that this surge could lead to higher natural gas prices, potentially impacting utility ratepayers. Beyond the economic implications, the climate impact remains a concern, as burning natural gas releases significant amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.