Power consumption by datacenters is projected to double within next six years,potentially matching the energy demands of major industries such as metallurgy and agriculture, according to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak. In an article published in Energy Policy,he emphasized the critical role of high-performance computing in supporting artificial intelligence systems, which incurs substantial energy costs.
Currently, there are approximately 11,800 datacenters operating globally, with nearly half situated in the United States . These facilities have a total connected capacity of 62 gigawatts (GW) and are experiencing an annual growth rate of about 15%. Novak forecasts that by 2030,the average power consumption of datacenters could escalate to 110 GW. This increase would elevate their share of global energy consumption from 1.5% in 2024 to 3%, placing them on par with significant sectors like aluminum and steel production.
Novak pointed out that the ability of nations to supply affordable and reliable energy to the digital economy will be essential for maintaining competitiveness in the high-tech arena. He warned that the absence of specific regulations in this sector could result in grid overloads, power shortages,and increased electricity costs for other consumers. “The task is to strike a balance between the technological breakthrough and the reliability of the power supply,” he stated.
