Datacentres Draw 6% of UK-US Power as AI Lifts Global Use 15%
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 13
Datacentres Draw 6% of UK-US Power as AI Lifts Global Use 15%
1 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 13
UK and US datacentres now consume 5.9% and 6% of national electricity, according to IDCA research, putting both above the 5% level where community and political pushback tends to intensify.
Global datacentre power use has climbed 15% in two years as annual investment nears $1 trillion, with AI expansion colliding with UK energy shortages and multi-year waits for grid connections.
The strain is sharper in some smaller markets: datacentres use 19% of Singapore's grid power and 11% of Lithuania's, versus a 2% global average.
IDCA said 13% of US datacentre consumption comes from unused 'zombie' services—more than 3GW—adding to calls for tech companies to disclose energy, water and emissions impacts more clearly.
The report also flagged datacentres as increasingly exposed critical infrastructure, saying recent Middle East attacks have pushed operators to pair physical security with cybersecurity.
Can power-hungry data centers become carbon-negative and help solve the climate crisis?
Is the AI revolution on a collision course with our planet's energy and water limits?
The AI Power Crunch: Data Centers Driving Up to 12% of US Electricity Demand, Grid Delays, and Rising Bills
Overview
The report highlights how the rapid growth of data centers, especially those supporting AI, is putting unprecedented pressure on electricity grids in the US and UK. This surge in demand is causing major grid connection delays, higher energy costs for consumers, and increasing public and regulatory opposition. Modern AI-driven data centers require much more power than traditional ones, with some facilities needing over 100 megawatts at a time. In the UK alone, 140 proposed projects are seeking 50 gigawatts of power. These challenges are reshaping energy infrastructure and sparking debates about the future of AI and sustainable development.