While Uptime sees growing challenges and opposition to giant data centers — ranging from power availability and supply chain complications to local opposition and legislative interventions (see US grid bills move forward, but implementation will be complex) — the number of new proposals and planned power capacities nevertheless remains at historic levels in the first half of 2026 (1H 2026).

Key findings in 1H 2026

During the first six months of 2026, Uptime tracked a total of 84 new data center proposals, each planning for more than 100 MW of power.

This figure is two-thirds of the total identified in full-year 2025 (127), suggesting that the number of new giant data center proposals in 2026 is on track to exceed the previous year's total. However, looking at the average power capacities for projects announced in 1H 2026, there was a 30% decline compared with 2025, bringing the average megawatt capacity of giant data centers down to 1,100 MW from 1,427 MW in 2025. Some of the huge new data centers proposed are slightly less huge.

While indicating a decline in the "average" giant data center, it is important to stress that these planned capacities — averaging more than 1 GW per giant — remain at historic levels. It would take a sustained and significant decline in the second half of 2026 or beyond to indicate a change in market sentiment and direction. There are no indications to suggest that this is happening. It is also important to stress that these planned data centers — if built — will be constructed over many years (from 2 to perhaps 10 years). The build-out will therefore not spike but rise steadily.

Seventeen of the proposals (20%) in 1H 2026 plan more than 1 GW of power, and four plan for upwards of 5 GW each. The largest is the PORTS Technology Campus in Portsmouth, Ohio — a partnership between the US Department of Energy, Department of Commerce, IT giant SoftBank and utility AEP Ohio. PORTS is planning to build and generate 9.2 GW of off-grid natural gas power to support a 10 GW data center campus. Permitting (specifically the FAST-41 accelerated permitting regime and Clean Water Act/Section 404), gas plant and transmission infrastructure, and environmental clean-up at the former uranium enrichment site are among the potential complications.

Total proposed power could exceed 2025 record

• In 1H 2026, the total proposed maximum power demand of giant data centers identified is estimated at 90,562 MW. This is approximately half of the total proposed power across all 127 proposals identified in 2025 (181,209 MW).
• If second-half announcements continue at the current trend, proposed power demand could meet or even exceed last year's levels.

As noted in previous reports, Uptime Intelligence's view is that giant data centers will, on average, achieve 25% of their planned provisioned power. This assumes that some will not be built and that others will not meet stated design size goals within a foreseeable or measurable time period. For detailed analysis of this position, see Many giant data center projects advance, despite risks.

More proposals in planning or development

All new proposals identified in 1H 2026 are in the early "planning or development" stage. Over time, only a proportion of these proposals (as yet unknown) will advance to construction and enter the "early phases live" category. Some proposals may also fail to progress beyond the announcement stage. These proposals would then be classified as "uncertain, delayed, stalled", or "canceled" if a decision to terminate has been taken. At present:

• Just over half of the proposals (51%) identified between 2021 and 1H 2026 are in planning or development. This is a slight increase on the proportion (49%) at this stage in December 2025.
• 38% of the 2021-1H 2026 projects are identified as either uncertain, delayed or stalled and may not be built or may be scaled back. This is a significant improvement on 2025 (48%).
• This trend shift indicates that more older projects have now progressed to construction, with some nearing ready for service (RFS) status. It also suggests that a portion of the 51% will graduate to construction in the second half of 2026 and beyond.

Cancellations have more than doubled

• There were 26 identified cancellations of giant data centers in 1H 2026 — more than double the total number (12) identified in 2025. Of the cancellations, 80% were in North America (21).
• Five cancellations were identified outside North America — three in Europe, Middle East and Africa (Spain, Germany, Ireland) and two in Asia-Pacific (Australia).

Reasons cited include environmental and housing-proximity concerns (Perth and Sydney, Australia); lack of guaranteed power (Andalusia, Spain); permission canceled by government over lost tax revenue (Groß-Gerau, Germany); and capacity constraints (Dublin, Ireland).

Advisory point

More giant data center announcements in the second half of 2026 and beyond will further antagonize opponents. But it will also worsen already overstretched power grids, resources and supply chains, while intensifying competition for equipment, power, grid connections and already scarce skills.

These headwinds are very real and are likely to result in more uncertainty, delays and cancellations among new and existing proposals.

This report should be read in conjunction with the supporting data report (see Giant data centers: build-out proposals for 2026 track 2025 levels). A detailed full-year 2026 analysis will also be published later in the year.

The following Uptime Institute experts were consulted for this report:
Jay Dietrich, Research Director of Sustainability, Uptime Institute
Andy Lawrence, Executive Director, Uptime Institute

Other related reports published by Uptime Institute include:
US data center critics pivot from moratoria to regulations
Giant data center power plans reach extreme levels
Many giant datacenter projects advance, despite risks