The amount of gas-fired power destined to fuel data centers in the US has more than doubled in under a year, according to new research. This development highlights how tech giants are increasingly turning to private fossil fuel plants to meet their energy demands, bypassing public grids.

With over 189 gigawatts of planned capacity now in the works—enough to power millions of homes—the focus on gas is growing, despite climate concerns. The infrastructure will emit significant greenhouse gases, especially from inefficient turbines that can release more pollutants than some small countries each year.

This trend isn’t isolated to the US; China saw a surge in natural gas facilities and now has fewer such projects than its neighbour. However, China’s data centers are more likely to rely on renewable energy sources like solar and hydropower due to government policies promoting domestic green energy.

The build-up of gas-powered infrastructure poses questions about long-term environmental impacts versus short-term economic benefits. With many projects still in the planning stages, uncertainties around financing and local opposition could slow down or even halt some developments.