Goldman sees US data center growth intact despite opposition
MSFT•MSFT•MSFT•MSFT•Goldman Sachs said US data center growth through 2027 remains largely intact despite rising political and community opposition. It raised its 2026 year-end capacity forecast by 5 gigawatts to 64 GW and cut its 2027 forecast by 5 GW to 90 GW.
Goldman Sachs said project data and updated estimates suggest the US data center growth outlook through 2027 remains largely unchanged. The firm forecasts US data center power demand will grow 38%, or 12 GW, in 2026 and 38%, or 17 GW, in 2027.
Opposition has focused on electricity demand, utility costs and other local impacts. A June Reuters/Ipsos poll found that one-third of Americans approve of the pace of data center construction, while 14% would support a facility in their community to support AI projects for technology firms. Goldman said public sentiment has turned more negative.
