On the Equity podcast released Nov 11 2026, host Rebecca Bellan and Tim De Chant talk with Brent Nelson, senior managing director at Ascend Analytics. Nelson says only a small fraction of the AI‑focused data‑center projects announced this year are likely to actually be constructed. He points to local opposition, slow permitting and uncertain electricity supply as key blockers. The discussion also notes that relying on natural gas may not work during extreme weather, and suggests pairing battery storage with grid connections as an alternative.
Why it matters
Investors and developers will need to reassess AI infrastructure spending because many announced data‑center projects may never materialize.
