IEA: data center power use up 17% in 2025; AI-specific demand to triple by 2030
Data center electricity demand grew 17% in 2025, and AI-specific demand is projected to triple by 2030
Why it matters
Officially acknowledged that power and grid connection delays are the physical bottleneck limiting the speed of near-term expansion
Source — Primary sources first; secondary reports are labelled “Press”
Officialiea.orghttps://www.iea.org/news/data-centre-electricity-use-surged-in-2025-even-with-tightening-bottlenecks-driving-a-scramble-for-solutionsAdded in Week 35, 2026 · See that week