AI demand triggers surge in massive US data centers

A big wave of US data-center construction is underway as AI pushes the need for more computing power to record highs. Campuses in Texas and Ohio are being built with multi-gigawatt capacities—enough to match the electricity use of millions of homes. Some will reach city-sized footprints. These centers already use more US power than Australia, and by 2030, data centers could draw nearly 12% of all US electricity, according to federal projections.

• Planned data centers in Texas, Ohio target up to 17 gigawatts each
• Meta, Google, Oracle among top builders and operators
• Over 1,500 new US data centers currently under development
• US centers projected to use 11.8% of national electricity by 2030
• Communities raising local noise and sustainability concerns