Nearly Half of US Data Centers Delayed for 2026

Nearly half of the data center capacity planned for operation in the United States next year faces delays or cancellations, according to a recent analysis by Sightline Climate, highlighting significant challenges in powering the ongoing artificial intelligence expansion.

The report, titled the 2026 Data Center Outlook, examines 16 gigawatts of announced capacity across the country. It projects that 30 to 50 percent of these projects, equivalent to about eight gigawatts, will not proceed as scheduled. Only five gigawatts are currently under construction, despite typical build times of 12 to 18 months for such facilities. For 2027, the outlook is similarly constrained: of 21.5 gigawatts announced, just 6.3 gigawatts have broken ground. Uncertainty intensifies beyond 2028, with 37 gigawatts in planning stages lacking firm completion dates and only 4.5 gigawatts started.

These setbacks stem from a combination of power shortages, regulatory delays and supply chain bottlenecks. Data centers require vast electricity to support AI workloads, yet the nation's aging grid struggles to meet demand. Interconnection queues with utilities in key regions like Northern Virginia and Texas can...