Energy & O&G3 November 2026
Power grid: AI drives 17% more demand, connection queues run 4 to 8 years
According to the IEA, data centre consumption rose 17% in 2025 and connections take 4 to 8 years. Here are five decisions for operators.
The IEA estimates data centre electricity consumption rose 17% in 2025, while global demand grew 3%. It expects over 945 TWh in 2030, against about 415 TWh in 2024 (IEA, via Data Center Frontier and ai2.work).
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Sector impact, operational recommendations and key figures.
Analysis by
Cardan-AI Intelligence
Our research and analysis unit, dedicated to applied AI for business, industry and regulatory compliance.
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