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AI data center energy consumption projected to double by 2030
The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence is driving a massive surge in global electricity demand, primarily through the operation and cooling of data centers. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), data centers consumed approximately 415 TWh of electricity in 2024, accounting for 1.5% of global demand. This consumption is projected to more than double to roughly 945 TWh by 2030.
Environmental impacts are being measured at the individual query level. Google reported that a median text query to Gemini uses 0.24 watt-hours of electricity and 0.26 milliliters of water. Similarly, OpenAI's Sam Altman stated that a ChatGPT query consumes about 0.34 watt-hours and 0.32 milliliters of water.
Climate change is further complicating energy needs. Experts note that cooling accounts for about 40% of data center energy use, a figure that could rise by 20–30% during extreme heatwaves. This creates a feedback loop where rising temperatures increase the energy required to keep AI infrastructure operational. Geographically, the United States currently leads in consumption, accounting for 45% of the global total, followed by China at 25% and Europe at 15%.
Entities
Alessandro Migliorini · Google · International Energy Agency · OpenAI · Sam Altman
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A median text query to Google's Gemini uses 0.24 watt-hours of electricity and 0.26 milliliters of water. www.green.it
- [● 2 SOURCES] Data center electricity consumption is projected to reach approximately 945 TWh by 2030. www.green.it · www.truenumbers.it
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Data center electricity consumption has grown at an annual rate of 12% since 2017. www.truenumbers.it
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Cooling accounts for roughly 40% of data center energy consumption and may increase by 20–30% during extreme heat. bizblog.spidersweb.pl
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The United States accounted for 45% of global data center electricity consumption in 2024. www.truenumbers.it
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A single data center dedicated to AI consumes as much electricity as 100,000 households. www.truenumbers.it
- [○ 1 SOURCE] An average ChatGPT query consumes approximately 0.34 watt-hours of electricity and 0.32 milliliters of water. www.green.it
- [● 2 SOURCES] Data centers consumed about 415 TWh of electricity in 2024, which is 1.5% of global electricity demand. www.green.it · www.truenumbers.it