Half of proposed data centers in US face delays this year

Data center projects throughout the United States are encountering substantial delays, with a Bloomberg report indicating that close to half of new U.S. data centers projected for completion by 2026 are likely to be postponed or canceled. This trend affects numerous AI development centers nationwide, where construction efforts are also complicated by a reliance on foreign imports for components. However, in Oklahoma, the primary causes of these setbacks are not import-related but stem from significant local opposition and extensive reviews by government agencies. These entities are scrutinizing developer proposals, particularly regarding the substantial energy consumption and water usage associated with the projects. Analysts at Sightline Climate highlighted the discrepancy between announced data center projects —totaling up to 12 gigawatts of power —and their actual construction progress, noting that only a third of these projects have begun building despite their expected online date this year.