Data Center Power Demand Is Set to Surge, Raising New Climate Challenges: BloombergNEF

BloombergNEF expects global data center electricity demand to nearly quadruple to 2,354 terawatt-hours by 2035, driven by AI and computing capacity growth. The report warns that grid constraints in the US and Europe are leading developers to propose on-site gas-fired power plants, creating significant carbon emissions and long-term fossil-fuel lock-in risks. Emerging markets face different challenges, such as heavy reliance on coal in India, Indonesia, and Malaysia, contrasting with renewable-heavy additions expected in Brazil. Open article →