US data center capacity additions are accelerating, with the industry scheduled to bring online 13.6 gigawatts of new capacity in 2026 and 36.3 gigawatts in 2027, according to market data compiled by S&P Global Commodity Insights. The figures reflect a construction pipeline of more than 700 facilities spread across 38 states.

Demand is absorbing the new supply almost immediately. In tight markets such as Atlanta, most data centers under construction are fully leased before they open, and the metro ended the first quarter of 2026 with a vacancy rate near 1 percent. That dynamic is pushing developers to secure land, power, and permits well ahead of construction.

Regional concentration shapes the market. Virginia remained the largest single market, with data center demand for grid power projected near 12.1 gigawatts in 2025, followed by Texas at roughly 9.7 gigawatts. Emerging markets across the Southeast, including Georgia, have drawn billions in new investment as developers seek available land and transmission capacity.

The pace of capacity growth reflects sustained demand from AI and cloud computing, along with the long lead times required to build power-dense facilities. Analysts note that the gap between the 13.6 gigawatts scheduled for 2026 and the 36.3 gigawatts planned for 2027 points to an even steeper build-out in the years ahead.

The data underscores how quickly the physical footprint of the data center industry is expanding to meet computing demand.

Source: S&P Global Commodity Insights - https://www.spglobal.com/commodity-insights/en/news-research/latest-news/electric-power/101425-data-center-grid-power-demand-to-rise-22-in-2025-nearly-triple-by-2030