New Delhi, June 10: The global demand for electricity in data centers is projected to increase by 26.4% in 2026, rising from 447 terawatt-hours in 2025 to an expected 565 terawatt-hours. This information was revealed in a report released on Wednesday.
According to the report by business and technology insights firm Gartner, the anticipated rise in consumption is attributed to compute-centric artificial intelligence workloads, which are expected to push electricity demand to new heights.
Gartner’s Director Analyst, Linglan Wang, stated, “The potential of AI now depends on the availability of electricity, making power security for data centers a new critical issue to advance in the global AI race and maintain profitability.”
The report indicates that the consumption of electricity in data centers is continuously increasing due to AI-optimized servers. By 2026, AI-optimized servers are expected to account for 31% of total electricity consumption in data centers, with their electricity usage surpassing that of traditional servers by 2027.
By 2030, electricity consumption in data centers is expected to exceed 1,200 TWh. This anticipated demand will strain grid supply, affecting all data center users.
Wang emphasized that infrastructure and operations (I&O) leaders must improve their operational methods and prioritize secure grid access. They need to invest in high-efficiency cooling systems and edge computing to mitigate power shortages and ensure sustainable and scalable growth.
The requirements for cooling and other infrastructure are also rapidly increasing, projected to rise by 22.6% in 2026 and 24.6% in 2027.
A recent report highlighted that last year, data centers consumed as much electricity as Saudi Arabia. If electricity usage doubles by 2030, it would necessitate planting 6.7 billion trees over the next decade to offset the resulting carbon footprint.
My name is Kuldeep Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.