Overview

• Global electricity consumption by data centers is projected to rise from 415 TWh in 2024 to 945 TWh by 2030, representing nearly 3% of global electricity use.
• Generative AI's computational demands are a key driver of this growth, with data center energy use increasing at 12% annually over the past five years.
• CO2 emissions from data centers are expected to grow from 180 million tonnes in 2024 to 300 million tonnes by 2035, though they will remain a small fraction of global emissions.
• The United States, Europe, and China account for 85% of current data center energy consumption, with the US projected to shoulder nearly half of additional demand.
• The AIE emphasizes that while efficiency gains and renewable energy adoption may mitigate some impacts, proactive policies are essential, as AI alone is not a comprehensive environmental solution.