Data centers are projected to consume twice as much energy by 2030, according to a report from the International Energy Agency. The driving force behind this surge in energy consumption? Artificial Intelligence (AI).
In 2024, data centers accounted for about 1.5% of global electricity consumption, consuming 415 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity. However, by 2030, this number is expected to more than double to 945 TWh, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of Japan.
The increase in energy consumption is primarily attributed to the growing use of AI in data centers. In 2024, servers dedicated to AI tasks accounted for 24% of server electricity demand and 15% of total data center energy demand. However, some experts believe these numbers may be underestimated.
Developing economies are expected to account for around 5% of the growth in data center energy consumption by 2030, while advanced economies will contribute more than 20%. The United States, Europe, and China collectively account for 85% of current data center energy consumption.
To meet the forecasted energy demand for data centers, countries are investing in building power plants and upgrading electricity grids. However, the report warns that 20% of planned data centers could face delays in connecting to the grid.
The surge in data center electricity consumption poses a potential risk to achieving climate goals. While two-thirds of planned electricity capacity is set to come from renewable sources, the report highlights an expansion in natural gas-fired capacity in the US, increasing reliance on fossil fuels.
Data centers tend to be clustered in specific regions, straining local grid systems. This concentrated growth in energy consumption may pose challenges for local infrastructure and energy sustainability.
In conclusion, the rise in data center energy consumption driven by AI presents both opportunities and challenges for global energy sustainability. As the demand for AI and data processing continues to grow, it is crucial to prioritize energy efficiency and renewable energy sources to mitigate the environmental impact of data center operations.
This article was originally published on April 10, 2025, and is reproduced with permission from Nature magazine.
