Data centers require substantial energy, and as large-scale operators seek new power solutions, they increasingly turn to gas turbines. These could contribute an estimated 44 million tons of CO2 emissions by 2030, akin to the emissions from 10 million cars, according to the nonprofit Truthout. This escalation stems from the increasing demand to support AI training and computational needs, leading to a surge in data center infrastructure. Deloitte Insights notes that power requirements for U.S. data centers may soar more than 30 times over the next decade.

The urgency to expand capacity often leads to the implementation of gas turbines, if available in proximity to a gas line. As demand rises, there’s a shortage of turbine equipment, pushing some operators to repurpose aircraft engines for on-site power generation. Meanwhile, Boom Supersonic, aiming to enter this market, develops power turbines from its Symphony engine, with cloud firm Crusoe ordering 29 units for U.S. deployment.

Meta’s facilities, such as the Hyperion campus in Louisiana, leverage on-site gas generators projected to scale capacity up to five gigawatts, partly supplied by Entergy’s forthcoming plant expansions. Microsoft also foresees the necessity of natural gas in its energy strategy despite promoting renewables where feasible.

Governments like the U.S. prioritize AI advancement over climate goals, furthered by initiatives backing fossil fuels, including the Trump administration’s recent boost to coal power, evidenced by a nearly 20% increase in coal-based energy. This trend appears global, with over 1,000 gigawatts of gas projects proposed worldwide, marking a 31% increase over the last year.

Analyst Gartner suggests that on-site power generation, primarily through gas turbines as recommended by Schneider Electric, is crucial for data centers to ensure continuity. This aligns with U.S. policy, despite environmental opposition warning of impending emissions from expanding gas projects internationally.