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

A new report highlights that the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure is set to drive a massive surge in energy demand across the United States. By 2035, U.S. data centers are projected to consume more natural gas than the combined annual usage of Germany and Japan. This trend is largely fueled by the intensive power requirements of large-scale AI training and inference operations. As tech giants and data center operators scramble to secure reliable power sources, the reliance on natural gas has become a point of contention for climate advocates and energy policy experts. The massive scale of this consumption raises significant questions regarding the environmental impact of the AI boom and the feasibility of meeting these energy needs through renewable sources. Industry analysts warn that without significant improvements in energy efficiency or a shift in infrastructure planning, the carbon footprint of the digital economy could expand drastically over the next decade.