Five killer charts: Data centre power demand rival countries

Good morning – here are your five chart for the day. Each one comes snap stat, quick take and why it matters. Skim, steal, forward (but always credit!!).

CHART 1 • Data-centre power demand rivals nations

Right! Here’s the first chart to kick start your day. AI's explosive growth could triple global data centre electricity consumption from 500 terawatt-hours in 2023 to 1,500 by 2030, matching India's entire power usage for the year. The IMF warns that without responsive energy policies to boost supply, the resulting price surges in electricity could hurt consumers and potentially limit AI's own economic growth potential.

Snap stat – 1,500 TWh projected data-centre load by 2030, which matches India entire demand in 2023.

Quick take – Data-centre demand could triple this decade, matching India’s current load.

Why it matters – Surging AI power needs threaten grid capacity and create energy-price risk, which could hurt future economic growth.

Steal-this-caption – “AI’s appetite for data centres may gulp 1,500 TWh by 2030 – more than what the whole of India used 2023.” #FiveChartsDaily

Source: IMF

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