AI Forecast To Fuel Doubling In Data Centre Electricity Demand By 2030
The title of this post, is the same as that as this article in The Times.
This is the sub-heading.
International Energy Agency predicts that artificial intelligence could help reduce total greenhouse gas emissions
These are the first two paragraphs.
Data centres will use more than twice as much electricity by 2030 than they do today as artificial intelligence drives demand, the International Energy Agency predicts.
The agency forecast that all data centres globally will use about 945 terawatt-hours of electricity each year by 2030, roughly three times as much as the UK’s total annual demand of 317 terawatt-hours in 2023.
I am very much an optimist, that here in the UK, we will be able to satisfy demand for the generation and distribution of electricity.
- Our seas can accommodate enough wind turbines to provide the baseload of electricity we will need.
- Roofs and fields will be covered in solar panels.
- SSE seem to be getting their act together with pumped storage hydro in Scotland.
- I am confident, that new energy storage technologies like Highview Power with the packing of companies like Centrica, Goldman Sachs, Rio Tinto and others will come good, in providing power, when the wind doesn’t blow and the sun doesn’t shine.
- Hopefully, Hinckley Point C and Sizewell C will be online and soon to be joined by the first of the new small modular nuclear reactors.
- Hopefully, Mersey Tidal Power will be operating.
- There will be innovative ideas like heata from Centrica’s research. The economical water heater even made BBC’s One Show last week.
The only problem will be the Nimbies.
The Anonymous Widower 
The cynic in me says AI demand goes up domestic demand goes down as people lose their jobs and thus energy demand goes down.
Comment by Nicholas Lewis | April 11, 2025 |
This overlooks improvements in micro processors – have a look at: –
https://www.amd.com/en/products/processors/laptop/ryzen/ai-300-series/amd-ryzen-ai-max-plus-395.html
difficult to get [as yet] while older processors are sold off. Expect major further improvement in the energy efficiency of data centres.
PS and yes I am trying to buy one or at least a stable mate, albeit already assembled.
Comment by Mark Clayton | April 11, 2025 |
If the UK puts the country-wide brain in gear, we can solve this problem.
Financial problems give us the ideas, the muscle and the reasons to break for it.
Comment by AnonW | April 11, 2025 |
The Chinese AI software will reduce masses of electricity usage. Also underground self generating hydrogen fields, that never run out, can produce electricity. There has been a big find in France. Also finds in Finland, Albania, and the USA.
Comment by John | April 11, 2025 |