The artificial intelligence boom is driving a massive new energy crunch, with data centres forecast to consume a tenth of the world’s electricity by 2050 as governments scramble to avoid grid overloads and climate backsliding.

New forecasts from Bloomberg NEF show global data centre electricity demand more than doubling from 500 terawatt-hours last year to 1,114TWh by mid-century. Behind the surge is the explosive growth of AI systems, cloud infrastructure and always-on digital services now reshaping economies at breakneck speed.

AI Gold Rush Hits The Grid

Data centres already consume nearly 2 per cent of global electricity demand after capacity surged 20 per cent year-on-year to 84GW in 2025. By 2050, that share is expected to climb sharply as AI workloads intensify.

The warning lands as countries race to secure computing dominance without triggering energy shortages. Every new AI model, automated system and digital assistant increases pressure on already strained power networks.

Bloomberg NEF expects total global electricity demand to jump 69 per cent by 2050, fuelled not only by AI, but electric vehicles, cooling systems and industrial electrification.

Britain Faces A Hard Reality

The UK is already colliding with the consequences. More than 100 British data centre projects have reportedly requested gas connections because they cannot access the National Grid quickly enough.

Those requests amount to over 15 terawatt-hours of gas-powered electricity annually — enough to power London for more than four months. Officials increasingly accept that some AI infrastructure may rely on fossil fuels far longer than ministers publicly hoped.

“There’s 100GW of datacentre projects in the queue,” said Ofgem cyber regulation director Stuart Okin. “Clearly that’s not all going to be able to connect.”

Climate Targets Under Pressure

The shift is exposing growing tension between Britain’s AI ambitions and its net-zero commitments. Energy planners warn that unchecked expansion risks locking in new fossil fuel dependence just as governments promise cleaner power systems.

Industry figures insist renewable technology can still close the gap. Bloomberg NEF expects solar power to become the world’s largest electricity source by 2032 as battery storage rapidly expands.

But experts warn the clock is ticking. Without major grid upgrades and tougher transparency rules, the AI revolution risks colliding head-on with energy security and climate policy at the same time.

Data centres to consume tenth of global power by 2050

I've seen plans (maybe already happening?) of building these centers under water - maybe lakes or the ocean. Gawd help the local wildlife.