AI data centers turn to off-grid gas solutions

Brandon Lobb argues that AI data center developers are increasingly turning to off-grid natural gas and behind-the-meter power solutions as a near-term response to long grid interconnection delays.

• The article says new data centers in the US face grid connection timelines of more than four years, prompting island mode and co-located generation approaches; it cites 59 dedicated off-grid power projects proposed or under construction for US data centers as of June 2026, with more than 90% announced since early 2025.
• It also notes that FERC ordered six grid operators in June 2026 to justify or revise large-load interconnection processes, while developers are pairing gas generation with BESS, UPS, and other reliability solutions; the piece is an opinion/analysis article, originally published on Enlit World and republished with permission.