The IEA’s Energy and AI special report examines the deepening links between artificial intelligence and the global energy system, highlighting both challenges and opportunities as AI scales up. It finds that AI’s rapid growth is driving a surge in electricity demand—particularly from power-hungry data centres—with global data centre electricity consumption projected to more than double by 2030, requiring a mix of renewables, natural gas, nuclear, and grid infrastructure to meet that need. At the same time, AI offers significant potential to improve the energy sector through efficiency gains, optimised electricity networks, and accelerated innovation in energy technologies. The report stresses the importance of reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity supply for the future of AI while urging greater collaboration between policymakers, the tech industry, and energy stakeholders to manage risks related to energy security, emissions, and infrastructure.
