AI Data Center Build-Out Raises Concerns About America’s Future Power Needs

by Wesley Brown | The Epoch Times

As the United States prepares to invest billions of dollars in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, public officials, grid operators, and utility companies are addressing concerns about how the nation’s electricity grid will handle the expected surge in power usage.

According to a recent S&P Global Market Intelligence report, annual electricity demand for U.S. data centers is expected to reach more than 280 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2024. By 2028, that total is projected to nearly double to 530 TWh, or slightly more electricity than Texas produced in 2022. Similarly, a Department of Energy report forecasts total energy consumption by data centers to reach between 325 TWh and 580 TWh by 2028, potentially as much as 12 percent of total U.S. electricity.

In a March 10 research note shared with The Epoch Times, Bank of America sustainability analyst Dimple Gosai said Big Tech firms have committed more than $315 billion in capital investment for AI data centers this year. Those new projects will drive 50 GW of power demand by 2030. Read Full Article >