AI Boom Could Double Data Centre Power, Water Use By 2030
A UN report projects that the rapid growth of AI could nearly double the power and water usage of data centres by 2030, highlighting significant environmental concerns.
The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies is setting the stage for a substantial increase in the environmental impact of data centres worldwide. According to a recent report by the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health, the electricity consumption of these facilities could nearly double by 2030, driven largely by the burgeoning demand for AI capabilities.
In 2025, data centres consumed approximately 448 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity globally, surpassing the annual power usage of entire nations such as Saudi Arabia. AI workloads contributed to about 20% of this consumption. This figure is expected to escalate significantly, with projections estimating that electricity consumption could reach 945 TWh by the end of the decade, equating to Japan's current power usage. AI is anticipated to account for roughly 40% of this increased demand.
Beyond electricity, water usage by data centres is also projected to rise sharply, potentially reaching 9.3 trillion litres by 2030. This surge underlines the profound environmental footprint of AI, which extends beyond software into the realm of physical infrastructure. Data centres, power generation systems, cooling facilities, and transmission networks are all integral components of AI's backbone, each contributing to environmental challenges.
Kaveh Madani, Director of the institute and lead author of the report, emphasizes the often-overlooked physical resources required to sustain AI technologies. While AI offers efficiencies in areas like power grid management, the overall demand for resources is expected to grow as governments and corporations expand AI infrastructure. Madani cautions that in some regions, the unchecked growth of data centres could exacerbate existing resource pressures, highlighting the need for responsible planning and sustainable development strategies.