U.S. Data Centers Set to Outpace Germany and Japan in Natural‑Gas Use by 2035

U.S. data centers are expected to consume more natural gas by 2035 than Germany and Japan together, a BloombergNEF analysis shows. The study estimates daily demand from these facilities could reach roughly 18 billion cubic feet, almost twice the level forecast just months earlier. For comparison, Germany and Japan together use about 9 billion cubic feet per day, highlighting the scale of the U.S. demand. Over the next ten years, the sector will become the second‑largest driver of growth in natural‑gas use, trailing only liquefied natural‑gas (LNG) exports. The surge is linked to the rapid expansion of artificial‑intelligence workloads that require massive computing power and constant cooling. Companies such as OpenAI, Anthropic and Replit are among the AI firms whose models are pushing the need for more server capacity. The forecast arrives as the industry gears up for the Disrupt 2026 conference, where the same AI players will showcase new tools across six stages. Organisers are offering a 25 percent discount on tickets and savings of up to $300 for early buyers. Analysts warn that the rising gas demand could strain supply chains and increase emissions unless data‑center operators adopt greener energy mixes. BloombergNEF recommends a shift toward renewable electricity and greater efficiency to curb the environmental impact. Policy makers may need to consider new regulations to manage the growing load on the gas grid.