UN Warns AI Data Centres Could Strain Global Electricity Systems
UN Warns AI Data Centres Could Strain Global Electricity Systems
————————————–
The rapid growth of artificial intelligence technologies and energy-intensive data centres is creating new challenges for electricity networks worldwide, according to a warning from the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).
The commission said data centres are expanding faster than the power infrastructure needed to support them, raising concerns about grid reliability, energy security, and the ability of electricity systems to handle sudden increases in demand.
Global data centre electricity consumption is expected to nearly double by 2030, rising from around 485 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2025 to 950 TWh, according to estimates from the International Energy Agency (IEA). This would represent about three percent of global electricity demand.
UNECE noted that while large data centres can often be built and connected within two to five years, expanding electricity transmission networks can take more than a decade due to planning, approval, and construction processes.
The UN agency warned that excessive pressure on electricity systems could lead to technical problems, including voltage instability, unexpected shutdowns, and wider grid disruptions, particularly in regions relying heavily on renewable energy sources that may struggle to respond quickly to sudden demand changes.
Several countries have already introduced measures to manage the impact of data centre growth. Ireland has imposed restrictions on new data centre connections in Dublin, while the Netherlands has placed limits on where new facilities can be developed.
UNECE also highlighted unresolved questions over who should pay for the major infrastructure upgrades required to connect large data centres, warning that unclear cost-sharing rules between developers, energy companies, and consumers could delay necessary investments.
