The International Energy Agency estimates that total electricity consumption by data centres could double from 2022 levels to 1,000TWh in 2026, approximately Japan’s level of electricity demand. AI is expected to result in data centres using 4.5% of global energy generation by 2030. Additionally, AI could account for up to 6.6bn cubic metres of water use by 2027. This increasing energy and water consumption, along with carbon emissions associated with manufacturing and transporting computer servers and chips, are posing challenges to tech companies' climate goals.
Key takeaways:
- Google's greenhouse gas emissions have increased by 48% over the past five years, primarily due to electricity consumption by data centres and supply chain emissions.
- The tech giant's goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2030 is threatened by the increasing environmental impact of AI, which is complex and difficult to predict.
- Data centres could double their total electricity consumption from 2022 levels to 1,000TWh in 2026, and AI could result in data centres using 4.5% of global energy generation by 2030.
- AI could also account for up to 6.6 billion cubic metres of water use by 2027, nearly two-thirds of England’s annual consumption.