A new analysis warns that the surging demand for electricity from data centers, driven by the expansion of cloud computing and artificial intelligence services, is prompting tech companies to turn to natural gas power. If these plans come to fruition, the resulting greenhouse gas emissions could exceed those of entire nations, throwing a wrench into climate commitments.
According to reports, many data center operators are seeking approvals for on-site gas-fired power plants to ensure reliable energy supply. These plants could operate 24/7, bypassing the intermittency of renewables like wind and solar. The cumulative impact, experts say, might push emissions far beyond what individual countries have pledged under the Paris Agreement.
"We're effectively building a new gas-fired power fleet to run the internet," one analyst noted. "That's not just a local issue—it's a global one."
The trend underscores a tension between digital growth and decarbonization. While tech giants have touted net-zero pledges, their reliance on fossil fuels to power AI and data processing threatens to undermine those goals. Critics argue that without stronger regulatory oversight, the data center boom could lock in decades of fossil fuel dependence.