AI Data Centers Are Boiling the Grid: Skyrocketing Energy & Cooling Needs Threaten Power Supplies and Climate
Global data-center electricity demand is projected to double by 2030, reaching about 945 TWh, driven by AI workloads. U.S. utilities report contracts for 47 GW of new data centers, exceeding Virginia’s current load. High-power AI chips and dense racks are straining grids and increasing water and carbon use. Tech giants and utilities are investing heavily in new cooling and on-site power solutions.