Are we going to run out of power?

Data centers consumed 415 terawatt-hours in 2024—1.5% of global electricity—with AI using 15% of that share, and demand is projected to double by 2030. Energy constraints are no longer just environmental concerns but financial and operational risks, as grid capacity lags behind growth demands. The solution lies in energy efficiency, on-site generation, heat reuse, and energy sovereignty to reduce reliance on strained grids.

It reframes energy constraints not as a sustainability mandate but as a financial and strategic lever for efficiency, resilience, and innovation in tech infrastructure.

1. 01AI accounts for 15% of data center energy use, but 85% of energy goes to 'normal IT'—highlighting a broader efficiency opportunity.
2. 02Energy sovereignty—generating and managing power on-site via renewables, batteries, or backup generators—is becoming critical for resilience and cost control.
3. 03Waste heat from data centers can be repurposed for heating pools, breweries, or buildings, turning an operational byproduct into a revenue stream or cost saver.