Data centers used about 485 TWh of electricity in 2025, slightly more than 1.5% of world demand, and use is projected to reach about 950 TWh by 2030.
Why this market is moving now
- Global data center electricity use grew by more than 15% in 2025.
- Energy sector investment to build out data center infrastructure reached an estimated USD 105 billion in 2025.
- Alphabet more than doubled its quarterly spending on property and equipment between the third quarters of 2025 and 2026.
- Data center electricity use is projected to reach about 950 TWh by 2030.
Key figures
Global figures for this market, with the year each one describes. Use Cite to copy a reference to this page.
| Figure | Value | Year | Cite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worldwide spending on IT and other data center equipment, plus the energy supply for data centers, reached USD 565 billion in 2025, up 17% on 2024. | 565 USD billion | 2025 | |
| Energy sector investment to build out data center infrastructure worldwide, including power equipment, generation and grid upgrades, was an estimated USD 105 billion in 2025. | 105 USD billion | 2025 | |
| Data centers worldwide consumed about 485 TWh of electricity in 2025. | 485 TWh | 2025 | |
| Global data center electricity use grew by more than 15% in 2025, adding about 70 TWh and reaching slightly more than 1.5% of world electricity demand. | 15 % | 2025 | |
| Global data center electricity use is projected to reach about 950 TWh in 2030, around 3% of world electricity demand. | 950 TWh | 2030 | |
| The United States accounted for 45% of global data center electricity use in 2024, followed by China at 25% and Europe at 15%. | 45 % | 2024 | |
| The combined electricity use of four major hyperscale operators grew by 20% in 2024 to 110 TWh. | 110 TWh | 2024 | |
| Data center operators signed renewable power purchase agreements covering more than 40 TWh worldwide in 2025, with around 40% of that volume in the United States. | 40 TWh | 2025 | |
| The average annual power usage effectiveness (PUE) reported by data center operators worldwide was 1.52 in 2026. | 1.52 PUE ratio | 2026 | |
| Alphabet spent USD 51,355 million on property and equipment in the third quarter of 2026, up from USD 23,953 million a year earlier. | 51,355 USD million | 2026 |
Calculated figures (shares, changes and prices per kilogram) are plain arithmetic on the reported values. Read how we work.
Companies to watch
Alphabet (Google)
Spent USD 51,355 million on property and equipment in the third quarter of 2026, more than double a year earlier.
Equinix
Describes its network as the world's largest data center network, spanning metros on six continents (
Digital Realty
Describes its colocation business as the world's largest data center platform (
What the full report covers
- 01Executive summary
The answer in one page: size, direction and what moves it - 02Market definition and scope
What is in and out of the global market - 03Global market size, 2021 to 2025
Historical series and growth rates - 04Countries and regions
Demand, supply and trade by country and region - 05Outlook to 2031
Base, low and high scenarios with stated assumptions - 06Rules, policy and deadlines
Regulation and programmes that change demand - 07Drivers and barriers
What accelerates or slows adoption, by customer segment - 08Prices, costs and margins
Unit economics where public data allows - 09Competitive landscape
8 to 12 company profiles with recent moves - 10Opportunities and risks
For new entrants, suppliers and investors - 11Method and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the global data center market?
Worldwide spending on data center equipment and the energy supply for data centers reached USD 565 billion in 2025, up 17% on 2024.
How much electricity do data centers use worldwide?
Data centers used about 485 TWh in 2025, after growth of more than 15% that year. That is slightly more than 1.5% of world electricity demand.
Which countries use the most data center power?
In 2024 the United States accounted for 45% of global data center electricity use, China for 25% and Europe for 15%.
How fast will data center power demand grow?
Global data center electricity use is projected to reach about 950 TWh in 2030, around 3% of world electricity demand.
How energy efficient are data centers?
The average power usage effectiveness reported by operators worldwide was 1.52 in 2026. PUE is total facility power divided by the power used by IT equipment.
How much are hyperscalers spending on data centers?
Alphabet spent USD 51,355 million on property and equipment in the third quarter of 2026, up from USD 23,953 million a year earlier. Four major hyperscalers used 110 TWh of power in 2024.
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