Public opinion has shifted decisively against new data center buildouts, especially at the grassroots level.
Much of that opposition derives from soaring power demand, which places heavy strains on electric grids, driving up utility bills for households.
But huge supply chain problems loom for all the equipment and labor needed for new capacity buildouts.
Just a handful of suppliers build gas turbines, which are in high demand by the industry, and also by thousands of utilities and other buyers across the world.
Severe production backlogs have pushed delivery dates past 2030, and costs have gone up three times in just six years.
China is rapidly building out its AI data center infrastructure, with no public opposition, and amid falling power prices.
Closing scene, Wulunhada Volcano Geopark, Nei Mogu
Resources and links:
China Preps $295 Billion Plan to Fund Nationwide AI Buildout
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-06-09/china-prepares-295-billion-plan-to-fund-nationwide-ai-buildout
郑栅洁主任在十四届全国人大四次会议经济主题记者会上答记者问
https://www.nda.gov.cn/sjj/swdt/xwfb/0306/20260306222350429116656/_pc.html
China shifting massive AI data center complexes to rural provinces to tap surplus energy
https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/data-centers/china-shifting-massive-ai-data-center-complexes-to-rural-provinces-to-tap-surplus-energy-eastern-data-western-computing-strategy-has-chinese-tech-giants-huawei-and-tencent-building-ai-infrastructure-guizhou
China goes rural with data centers in quest to power AI
https://techxplore.com/news/2026-08-china-rural-centers-quest-power.html
China’s data centers face little pushback amid AI boom: ‘That’s a matter for the state
https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/data-center-politics-china-vote-controversy-debate-pro-con-rcna589411
After severe 76% electricity price hikes due to AI data centers, Virginia requires firms to pay
https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/data-centers/after-severe-76-percent-electricity-price-hikes-due-to-ai-data-centers-virginia-requires-firms-to-pay-for-all-dedicated-upstream-electrical-infrastructure-state-regulators-crack-down-governor-says-move-will-save-civilians-hundreds-of-millions-of-dollars
Chinese provinces offer steep power discounts to AI companies using China-made chips
https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/big-tech/chinese-provinces-offer-steep-power-discounts-to-ai-companies-using-china-made-chips-country-continues-its-aggressive-push-towards-ai-independence-and-homegrown-silicon
China leads wave of clean power wastage as grids globally hit limits
https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/china-leads-wave-clean-power-wastage-grids-globally-hit-limits-2026-08-17/
The Gas Turbine Shortage Just Became AI’s Biggest Constraint
https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/The-Gas-Turbine-Shortage-Just-Became-AIs-Biggest-Constraint.html
US Data Center Power Demand Projected to Double by 2027
https://www.goldmansachs.com/insights/articles/us-data-center-power-demand-projected-to-double-by-2027
GE Vernova reports second quarter 2026 financial results and raises 2026 financial guidance
https://www.gevernova.com/sites/default/files/gev/_webcast/_pressrelease/_07222026.pdf
GE Vernova gas turbine backlog climbs to 116 GW
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/ge-vernova-gas-turbine-backlog-climbs-to-116-gw/826039/
Siemens Energy’s gas turbine backlog nears 70 GW as company expands manufacturing
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/siemens-gas-turbine-backlog-nears-70-gw-as-company-expands-manufacturing/827390/
Mitsubishi’s large-frame gas turbine backlog reaches 35 GW
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/mitsubishi-gas-turbine-backlog-earnings/827761/
Gas turbine prices soar 195% as market faces supply-demand crisis
https://www.woodmac.com/press-releases/gas-turbine-prices-soar-195-as-market-faces-supply-demand-crisis/
5-year waits and rising costs: How demand is redefining the gas turbine market
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/5-year-waits-and-rising-costs-how-demand-is-redefining-the-gas-turbine-mar/813385/
Worldwide Gas Turbine Forecast 2025
https://www.turbomachinerymag.com/view/worldwide-gas-turbine-forecast-2025
We were wrong about DeepSeek. Now Chinese AI companies export trillions of AI tokens.
New York Times, The Data Center Backlash Bursts Into the Midterms
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/23/us/politics/data-centers-midterm-elections.html
China explores new AI ‘Silk Road’ with token outbound
https://interestingengineering.com/inside-china/china-explores-new-ai-silk-road-with-token-outbound
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