The United States accounted for 45% of data center electricity use in 2024 and China for 25%.
Why this market is moving now
- Data center electricity use grew by more than 15% in 2025, adding around 70 TWh of demand in one year.
- Power use by AI-focused data centers rose 50% in 2025.
- As of early 2026, over 100 GW of new gas capacity was planned as onsite supply for data centers.
- The April 2026 outlook keeps a central path of roughly 950 TWh of data center demand 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data centers worldwide used about 485 TWh of electricity in 2025, and this is projected to roughly double to 950 TWh in 2030. | 485 TWh | 2025 | |
| Data centers are projected to account for around 3% of global electricity demand in 2030. | 3 % | 2030 | |
| Data centers used around 415 TWh of electricity in 2024, about 1.5% of world electricity consumption. | 415 TWh | 2024 | |
| Global data center electricity use grew by more than 15% between 2024 and 2025, adding around 70 TWh of demand. | 70 TWh | 2025 | |
| Electricity use by AI-focused data centers worldwide rose 50% in 2025, faster than data centers overall. | 50 % | 2025 | |
| The United States accounted for 45% of global data center electricity use in 2024, China for 25% and Europe for 15%. | 45 % | 2024 | |
| Installed data center capacity worldwide was about 114 GW in 2025, of which the United States had about 52 GW. | 114 GW | 2025 | |
| Four major hyperscalers, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, Alphabet and Meta, used a combined 110 TWh of electricity in 2024, up 20% on 2023. | 110 TWh | 2024 | |
| Over 100 GW of new natural gas capacity was planned worldwide as dedicated onsite supply for data centers in early 2026. | 100 GW | 2026 | |
| Nuclear generation for data centers worldwide is projected to rise from around 75 TWh today to nearly 120 TWh in 2030. | 120 TWh | 2030 |
Calculated figures (shares, changes and prices per kilogram) are plain arithmetic on the reported values. Read how we work.
Companies to watch
Amazon Web Services
One of four major hyperscalers that together used 110 TWh of electricity in 2024.
Microsoft
One of four major hyperscalers that together used 110 TWh of electricity in 2024.
Alphabet
One of four major hyperscalers that together used 110 TWh of electricity in 2024.
Meta
One of four major hyperscalers that together used 110 TWh of electricity in 2024.
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
How every figure was built
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Frequently asked questions
How much electricity do data centers use worldwide?
Data centers used about 485 TWh of electricity in 2025. In 2024 they used around 415 TWh, which was about 1.5% of world electricity consumption.
How fast is global data center power demand growing?
Data center electricity use grew by more than 15% between 2024 and 2025, adding around 70 TWh. Use by AI-focused data centers grew faster, rising 50% in 2025.
Which countries use the most data center electricity?
The United States accounted for 45% of global data center electricity use in 2024, China for 25% and Europe for 15%. The United States had about 52 GW of the 114 GW of capacity installed worldwide in 2025.
How much electricity will data centers use by 2030?
The central projection sees data center electricity use roughly doubling from 485 TWh in 2025 to 950 TWh in 2030. That would be around 3% of global electricity demand.
Which companies use the most data center power?
Four major hyperscalers, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, Alphabet and Meta, used a combined 110 TWh of electricity in 2024, up 20% in a year.
What power sources will supply new data centers?
Over 100 GW of new natural gas capacity was planned as onsite supply for data centers in early 2026. Nuclear generation for data centers is projected to rise from around 75 TWh to nearly 120 TWh in 2030.
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