Bain's September 2026 AI data-center buildout scenario: total buildout to 2030 and the capacity it adds
$5–6.5T buildout; about 150 GW or more by 2030forecast
| Value kind | forecast — Forecasts are time-bound outlooks, not specifications; test decisions across plausible scenarios. |
|---|---|
| Scope | Bain's own buildout scenario, including the power, chips, skilled labor and permitting constraints it names. Not the same metric as McKinsey's $3.7T–$7.9T AI-capable capex range: do not net or average the two. Bain also counts at least 75 projects worth $130B blocked or delayed by local opposition in Q1 2026. |
| As of | 2026-09 |
| Source | Bain & Company, Technology Report 2026: AI data-center boom: can we build it if they come, 29 September 2026 · Buildout of $5 trillion to $6.5 trillion adding about 150 gigawatts or more by 2030; local opposition paragraph (Q1 2026) |
| Review | checking…review by 2027-09-29 · fast cadence |
| Recorded changes | last 2026-10-19 |
| Claim id | bain-2026-ai-buildout-5-6-5t-150-gw-by-2030 |
Where the guide uses it
Not quoted in a chapter yet; it is kept in the curated register.
← Full numbers register — every date-stamped figure in the guide, with revision history.