As much as half of the large-scale data-center capacity planned for 2026 may not become operational on schedule, according to a new outlook from energy intelligence company Currence.

The company attributes the expected delays to several factors, including limited access to electricity, construction-related bottlenecks, shortages of skilled workers and growing resistance from local communities. Together, these issues are making data-center projects increasingly difficult to deliver within their original timelines.

Currence analyzed 777 announced AI factories and data centers with planned capacities above 50 megawatts. Since 2024, developers have announced projects representing approximately 190 gigawatts of future capacity. Around 16 GW of that total is expected to enter service during 2026.

However, only about 5 GW is currently under construction. The remaining 11 GW is still at the announcement stage, with no clear evidence of active building work. That is a significant gap, particularly since large data centers typically require 12 to 18 months to complete once construction begins.

The report suggests that between 30% and 50% of the capacity scheduled for 2026 could be pushed beyond the end of the year. In other words, companies are expanding their project pipelines much faster than they are turning those plans into operational facilities.

The problem is not limited to new announcements. Data-center schedules have already become less dependable. During 2025, more than one-quarter of the expected capacity failed to meet its projected completion date, while another 10% of projects reportedly moved their commercial launch dates without making prominent public announcements.

The trend shows that planning a data center is becoming considerably easier than actually building one. Unless developers can secure power, construction resources and local support more reliably, delays are likely to remain a major feature of the industry throughout 2026