Datacenters: Updated Natural Gas Demand Model
Andy DeVries, CFA: Head of Investment Grade, Head of Utilities
Nick Moglia, CFA: Senior Analyst, Utilities, REITs & Refiners
Diego Espinosa Valdez: Analyst, Utilities
14 August 2026
- How rising AI datacenter capacity could reshape long term natural gas demand expectations.
- What key assumptions drive differing forecasts across investors, banks, and industry participants.
- Why renewable generation and nuclear restarts may alter future power market dynamics.
- How excess solar and wind generation could offset portions of incremental gas demand.
- Which scenario variables have the greatest influence on future datacenter energy needs.
Executive Summary
Artificial intelligence continues driving stronger datacenter expansion expectations. Updated assumptions point to higher future energy requirements.
Renewable generation plays a significant role in future power supply. Energy sources may offset part of incremental gas consumption.
Investors can evaluate multiple outcomes using flexible modeling assumptions. Several factors meaningfully influence projected demand trends.
Meanwhile, market expectations vary across analysts and industry participants. Forecast differences often reflect alternative modeling approaches.
Ultimately, power demand growth remains central to the discussion. Broader energy trends continue shaping future outlooks.



