Anthropic's IPO filing shows AI data centers rely heavily on natural gas

The US has the world's most concentrated data centers, and natural gas makes up 40% of its total power generation. To meet growing power needs from data centers, the US plans to build fossil fuel power plants at the highest level in a decade.

Anthropic, which is preparing to go public, disclosed in its S-1 filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission that data centers increasingly rely on natural gas, whose main component is methane. Its AI data center plans will be constrained by rising fuel prices and supply chain bottlenecks. The company previously announced a $50 billion investment plan to expand data centers in Texas and New York.

Gas turbine shortages are also slowing down construction. Anthropic sees climate change as a business risk, as rising temperatures will raise the cost of cooling servers. Residents across the US have successfully blocked dozens of proposed data center projects. Without stable natural gas supply, some plans may be delayed or canceled, limiting the company's growth.