Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform the energy sector in the coming decade, driving a surge in electricity demand from data centres around the world while also unlocking significant opportunities to cut costs, enhance competitiveness and reduce emissions. This report offers a comprehensive global analysis on the growing connections between energy and AI. 

The report includes projections for how much electricity AI could consume over the next decade, as well as which energy sources are set to help meet it. It also analyses what the uptake of AI could mean for energy security, emissions, innovation and affordability.

Countries that want to benefit from the potential of AI need to quickly accelerate new investments in electricity generation and grids, improve the efficiency and flexibility of data centres, and strengthen the dialogue between policymakers, the technology sector and the energy industry.

An AI agent has been published alongside the report to help readers interact with its findings. The AI agent is available on the report’s webpage and answers questions on the report’s contents in an easy and conversational manner.

Key findings

• Electricity demand from data centres worldwide is projected to more than double by 2030 to around 945 TWh, slightly more than the entire electricity consumption of Japan today.
• AI will be the most significant driver of this increase, with electricity demand from AI-optimised data centres projected to more than quadruple by 2030.
• A diverse range of energy sources will be tapped to meet data centres’ rising electricity needs – though renewables and natural gas are set to take the lead due to their cost-competitiveness and availability in key markets.
• AI could intensify some energy security strains while helping to address others.