Artificial intelligence datacentre developers are planning massive on-site gas-fired power stations across the US and Europe to bypass national grid connection bottlenecks, according to new research.
AI Datacentres Push for On-Site Fossil Fuel Generation
If fully realized, the planned rollout in the US—where 90% of these on-site gas stations are targeted—would emit approximately 345 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent annually, matching the emissions of roughly 72.8 million fossil fuel cars. BloombergNEF projects that global AI datacentre electricity demand will nearly quadruple by 2035 to reach 2,354 terawatt-hours, accounting for 7% of total global electricity consumption.
While developers contend that these on-site gas supplies are meant to be temporary stopgaps while waiting for official grid integration, experts warn of potential long-term fossil fuel lock-in once the infrastructure is operational. In the UK, upcoming datacentres—including fast-tracked projects in Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire—have pursued gas connections amid grid wait times, bolstered by government policy allowing temporary on-site fossil fuel generation under a new datacentre covenant.
The findings emerged as global leaders convened in Turkey for the UN climate summit, highlighting tensions between rapid technological expansion and international climate commitments.
