Data center demand drives 66% surge in natural gas power plant costs

Soaring natural gas power plant costs and construction delays linked to surging data center electricity demand. | Contesto: cronaca

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• Data center demand drives 66% surge in natural gas power plant costs

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The cost of building natural gas power plants has surged by 66% over the past two years, while construction timelines have stretched by nearly a quarter, driven by an unprecedented spike in electricity demand from data centers, according to a new analysis. The report, based on industry data, found that the average cost to build a new natural gas plant has nearly doubled since 2022, with expenses rising from roughly $1,000 per kilowatt to over $1,650 per kilowatt. At the same time, the time required to complete such projects has increased by 23%, from an average of 30 months to 37 months. The findings highlight a growing strain on the U.S. power grid as the rapid expansion of data centers—fueled by cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and streaming services—places unprecedented pressure on electricity infrastructure. The surge in costs and delays is attributed to several factors, including supply chain bottlenecks for key components like turbines and transformers, a shortage of skilled labor, and rising interest rates that have made financing more expensive. Additionally, permitting and regulatory hurdles have slowed approvals for new gas plants, particularly in regions where environmental opposition is strong. The report notes that data centers now account for a significant and growing share of total U.S. electricity consumption, with some projections suggesting they could represent as much as 8% of total demand by 2030, up from around 2% in 2022. The implications are far-reaching for both the energy sector and the broader economy. Utilities and independent power producers are scrambling to secure new gas capacity to meet data center demand, but the rising costs and longer lead times are forcing some to reconsider their plans. This could delay the addition of new generation capacity, potentially leading to higher electricity prices for consumers and businesses alike. Moreover, the trend may complicate efforts to transition to cleaner energy sources, as natural gas, while less carbon-intensive than coal, still emits significant greenhouse gases. The report also underscores a broader challenge: the tension between the need for reliable, on-demand power and...

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Categoria: cronaca