NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD News) — U.S. natural gas power development is accelerating, but equipment delays, grid constraints, and rising financing costs could keep electricity prices elevated for rural consumers. CoBank energy economist Teri Viswanath says announced projects may arrive more slowly than growing demand requires.
Gas-fired capacity under development has more than tripled in two years as data centers, artificial intelligence infrastructure, and industrial expansion increase demand for dependable power. S&P Global projects data-center electricity use will rise from 76 gigawatts in 2026 to 134 gigawatts by 2030.
New plants face turbine shortages, congested interconnection queues, limited pipeline access, and higher construction costs. Those barriers could tighten reserve margins and increase scarcity pricing during periods of heavy demand.
Electric cooperatives may also face pressure as large industrial customers seek faster connections. CoBank says diversified power purchasing, staged investments, load management, and rate structures assigning costs to large users could limit household exposure.
Rural communities will watch whether proposed plants reach construction, whether fuel and transmission capacity expand, and how utilities divide costs between farms, households, and new industrial loads.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Slower power development could raise electricity costs for farms, cooperatives, and rural households.
