Electricity demand at data centres seen doubling in three years

There are more than 8,000 data centres globally, with about 33% in the US, 16% in Europe and close to 10% in China, with more planned. — Image by benzoix on Freepik

Global electricity demand from data centres, cryptocurrencies and artificial intelligence could more than double over the next three years, adding the equivalent of Germany’s entire power needs, the International Energy Agency forecasts in its latest report.

There are more than 8,000 data centres globally, with about 33% in the US, 16% in Europe and close to 10% in China, with more planned. In Ireland, where data centres are developing rapidly, the IEA expects the sector to consume 32% of the country’s total electricity by 2026 compared to 17% in 2022. Ireland currently has 82 centres; 14 are under construction and 40 more are approved.