U.S. data centers outconsume heavy industry

7.8 significance by IEA Energy and AI Compute December 2030

Why does it matter?

U.S. data centers using more power than heavy industry would reshape grid planning around AI infrastructure.

Direct quote

The United States accounts for by far the largest share of this projected increase, followed by China. In the United States, data centres account for nearly half of electricity demand growth between now and 2030. By the end of the decade, the country is set to consume more electricity for data centres than for the production of aluminium, steel, cement, chemicals and all other energy-intensive goods combined.

IEA Energy and AI