- New data centers to increase energy demand 2.7 times more by 2035
- These projects put enormous pressure on energy networks
- This drives up prices and harms nearby environments.
A new wave of energy demand is hitting grids across the United States, with current projections indicating that by the end of 2035, data centers will require 2.7 times current electricity demand, a 36% jump from forecasts released just 7 months ago.
A new study from BloomberNEF shows that the massive increase in demand is likely driven by AI – and could put regions under immense pressure, leading to a reliance on energy from rural areas as urban areas become strained.
The divergent predictions likely stem from an increase in the number of promised data centers that are not yet operational, as well as the size and power of the proposed projects. Currently, only 10% of data centers consume more than 50 megawatts of electricity, but this consumption is likely to increase significantly, with average generation reaching more than 100 megawatts over the next decade.
Environmental concerns
As data centers become a growing emissions concern, this news will be unsettling to many, especially those located near the proposed new centers. The focus on rural areas in both the US and UK could lead to the destruction of the countryside – and the bill will likely be footed by consumers for the energy used.
The research also highlights areas where improved infrastructure can also be used – with fiber optic cables enabling growth. Also identified are former crypto-mining sites regenerated into AI-driven data centers.
“Today, developers are building large-scale campuses in suburban and exurban areas, typically within 30 miles of major cities. Virginia led this transition early, leveraging its strong infrastructure and fiber optic backbone. Today, Georgia and Ohio are following suit, chasing the next wave of digital demand,” writes BloombergNEF.
The strain these centers could put on already failing energy networks could be catastrophic – with weakened and obsolete infrastructure and electricity prices already rising around the world.
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