UN Report Highlights AI Data Centres' Massive Energy and Resource Demands by 2030
AI data centres may use power equal to 1.3 bn people by 2030: UN report

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A UN report warns that AI data centres could consume as much electricity by 2030 as the needs of 1.3 billion people in Sub-Saharan Africa. The anticipated energy use of 945 terawatt-hours (TWh) raises concerns about water and land resources, particularly in drought-prone areas.
- 01By 2030, global data centres are projected to consume 945 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity.
- 02This consumption is equivalent to the annual residential electricity needs of 1.3 billion people in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- 03AI data centres' water usage could meet the minimum domestic water needs of all Sub-Saharan Africa's residents.
- 04The land footprint of these data centres is expected to exceed 14,500 square kilometres, about twice the size of Jakarta.
- 05AI infrastructure could generate up to 2.5 million tonnes of electronic waste annually by 2030.
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According to a report from the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), the energy consumption of AI data centres could reach 945 terawatt-hours (TWh) by 2030, which is comparable to the annual electricity needs of 1.3 billion people in Sub-Saharan Africa. The report highlights that this energy demand raises significant concerns regarding water and land resources, particularly in areas already facing drought and water scarcity. The water footprint associated with these data centres could meet the minimum domestic water needs of all residents in Sub-Saharan Africa, while their land use could exceed 14,500 square kilometres. Furthermore, the report notes that AI systems vary in energy consumption based on the tasks they perform, with more complex tasks requiring significantly more energy. The environmental impacts of AI infrastructure are unevenly distributed globally, with countries like Ireland experiencing increased electricity demands from data centres. The report also warns of the potential for 2.5 million tonnes of electronic waste generated annually, much of which may be processed in low-income countries lacking environmental protections.
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The growing energy and resource demands of AI data centres could strain local electricity and water supplies, especially in regions already facing shortages.
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