Chapter 09 · Sustainability & AISustainability & AI
AI energy consumption
Definition
The electricity consumed in developing and operating AI systems, concentrated in data centres and growing with model scale and usage.
References
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Overview
What it means
AI energy consumption includes both energy-intensive training runs and the continuing electricity used for inference. The IEA's estimate of about 415 TWh in 2024 covers all data centres—not AI alone. AI is a major growth driver in the IEA's central projection of roughly 945 TWh of total data-centre electricity demand by 2030.
How it is used
Grid operators now plan around data-centre load growth; providers compete to site facilities near low-carbon power; and regulators — the EU first — are imposing energy reporting on data centres and large AI models.
Why it matters
Electricity is the binding constraint on AI's expansion and the main channel of its climate impact. Where that power comes from — and how efficiently it is used — determines whether AI growth accelerates or undermines decarbonisation.