Data‑Center Power Battle: Solar‑Storage vs Natural Gas

The data‑center boom is jolting U.S. electricity demand out of a decade‑long flatline and redrawing the global power map.

Solar + Storage: The Executives’ Clear Favorite

■%51 of energy executives see solar PV as the top power source for data centers

■%41 favor grid‑scale battery storage (BESS)

■Combined solar + storage reaches %92 preference

Natural Gas Holds On: Policy Tailwinds and Build Delays

■%44 of executives still rank natural gas second

■In North America %54 back gas versus %34 in Europe

■Despite higher costs and permitting delays, the U.S. "drill, baby, drill" agenda keeps gas in play

Investment Explosion: 600% Capex Surge per Rystad

■Data‑center capex surged %600 between 2020‑2025

■Rivals upstream oil & gas and matches total renewable investment

■Typical new facility requires roughly 100 MW of power

Emerging Tech Lagging: SMRs and Geothermal

■Small modular reactors (SMRs) garner only %18 support

■Geothermal trails at %11

■High capital costs and long lead times keep these technologies niche

Bora Yalın: The hybrid solar‑plus‑storage approach emerges as the most cost‑effective and scalable route for data‑center power, while natural gas remains a short‑term bridge rather than a long‑term solution.