AI to drive surging global energy demand

Electricity consumption from data centres will more than double by 2030, driven by artificial intelligence applications, but only about half of the demand is likely to be met from renewable sources, the IEA says

DATA CENTRE ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION BY REGION
In terawatt hours (Twh) 277
 
Europe 68 113
China 102 277
Rest of World 15 29
United States 183 426
Asia Pacific (excluding China) 48 101


2024
2030 (IEA base case scenario)

 
ENERGY SOURCES FOR DATA CENTRE POWER
IEA base case scenario, 2020-2035 (electricity generation in Twh) 

Coal   Natural gas   Nuclear   Renewables

World
1,400 
1,200
1,000
800
600
400
200
2
2020 2025 2030 2035 

U.S. 
600 
500
400
300
200
100
0
2020 2025 2030 2035

China 
600
500 
400
300
200
100
0
2020 2025 2030 2035 



Sources: International Energy Agency, The Guardian Picture: Newscom © GRAPHIC NEWS