- The IEA will launch a global observatory in April to track the energy consumption of data centres driven by AI growth.
- Data centres’ electricity use, currently 1.4% of global consumption, could nearly triple 3% by 2030 due to rising AI and cryptocurrency demands.
- The observatory will provide real-time data to help governments and businesses plan for AI’s increasing impact on energy infrastructure.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) will launch a global observatory in April to track the energy footprint of data centres as artificial intelligence (AI) usage surges. The initiative aims to provide accurate, centralised data on rising electricity demand linked to AI and digital infrastructures.
AI drives global electricity consumption at an increasing rate. According to Deloitte, data centres, critical to AI, consumed 1.4% of the world’s electricity in 2023. Experts expect this number to nearly triple by 2030, reaching 3%, or about 1,000 terawatt-hours (TWh)—comparable to the combined electricity use of France and Germany.
The IEA predicts data centre energy consumption will rise by over 75% between 2022 and 2026 due to AI applications and cryptocurrencies. These technologies demand vast computing power to operate advanced models, increasing electricity usage.
The observatory will monitor global data centre energy consumption in real-time. The IEA will work with industry players to gather detailed data and analyse electricity demand trends more precisely. This effort will help governments and businesses understand AI’s effect on energy infrastructures and plan for future demand.
The observatory’s data will consolidate fragmented information and ensure more reliable reporting than current media figures. The Élysée emphasises that this data will enable policymakers to assess AI’s impact on electricity grids and better prepare for the increasing energy needs.
Simultaneously, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is developing a coalition of AI companies to improve energy efficiency. The Paris Summit on Artificial Intelligence introduced this initiative to manage AI’s impact on power grids while supporting its growth.
The IEA’s observatory will be a key tool for tracking AI’s energy demands. Providing accurate, real-time data will help decision-makers anticipate growing electricity needs driven by emerging technologies.
With AI advancing rapidly, understanding its energy consumption remains crucial. The IEA’s global observatory will offer vital data to ensure energy systems meet rising demand. Its launch marks a significant step in tackling the energy challenges tied to AI’s expansion.
This initiative underscores the need for effective energy management as AI evolves. The IEA’s observatory supports efforts to balance AI development with sustainability by providing detailed insights into data centre consumption.