US data centers could consume more natural gas than Germany and Japan combined by 2035

A new BloombergNEF report projects US data centers will burn about 18 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day by 2035 — nearly double the estimate from just nine months ago. That would top the combined gas consumption of Germany and Japan. The AI buildout is the main driver, making data centers the second-largest source of gas demand growth after LNG exports. The report doesn't break down consumption by company, but the headline number alone shows data centers are becoming nation-scale energy consumers.

Why it matters: BloombergNEF's projection is concrete—18 Bcf/day, nearly 2x the prior estimate—and directly ties AI buildout to natural gas demand. Not an 85+ because it's a macro forecast rather than a product/model release with immediate action signals, but strong enough as an infra warning...