# TechCrunch podcast says most announced AI data centers won’t be built

> Brent Nelson of Ascend Analytics warns that the data‑center pipeline is wildly inflated and that permitting and power issues will keep many projects from materializing.

Oossa · 2026-11-11 · https://oossa.com/en/techcrunch-podcast-says-most-announced-ai-data-centers-won-t-be-built

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.

## The facts

- Brent Nelson, senior managing director of markets and strategy at Ascend Analytics, appears on the podcast.
- The episode was published on Nov 11 2026.

## Why it matters

Investors and developers will need to reassess AI infrastructure spending because many announced data‑center projects may never materialize.

## Sources & references

1. [How backlash and red tape continue to slow data centers post-Blue Wave](https://techcrunch.com/podcast/how-backlash-and-red-tape-continue-to-slow-data-centers-post-blue-wave/) – TechCrunch, 2026-11-11
2. [Why the data center you dread might never even be built](https://techcrunch.com/video/why-the-data-center-you-dread-might-never-even-be-built/) – TechCrunch, 2026-11-11

Last updated: 2026-11-11