Natural Gas Power Plant Costs Skyrocket 66% Amid Rising Data Center Demand

2026-04-27 · TechCrunch AI · Original

The costs associated with natural gas power plants have experienced a staggering increase of nearly 66% over the past two years, largely driven by the surging electricity needs of data centers. This dramatic rise in expenses has resulted in construction timelines extending by an average of 23%. As digital transformation accelerates and data processing requirements grow, the demand for reliable energy sources like natural gas becomes more critical. This trend not only highlights the economic pressures within the energy sector but also reflects the evolving landscape of technology reliance, where data centers play a pivotal role in shaping energy infrastructure investments.