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Can the US Energy Grid Keep Up with AI Data Centers?
Our latest forecast projects data centers will consume 9% of US electricity by 2030, straining the grid without new solutions.
US data centers’ electricity consumption is projected to more than double from 2024 to 2030, according to the latest baseline forecast from Bain’s Data Center Model. Although we expect there will be sufficient supply to meet demand, our baseline scenario estimates total US consumption in 2030 will be about 150 terawatt-hours higher than the amount forecasted by the US Energy Information Administration.
On top of the ongoing efforts to build additional traditional power generation and transmission infrastructure, meeting the demand will require a diverse set of coordinated actions, including:
- promoting flexible power solutions (e.g., battery energy storage systems) integrated with the grid to improve its reliability;
- implementing demand response programs that incentivize adaptable electricity usage; and
- facilitating on-site power generation—such as natural gas, rooftop solar, and restarted nuclear plants—which can be developed faster than utility-scale solutions.
The authors wish to thank Paul Bockwoldt and Fernando Valdes for their contributions to this analysis.
First published in Οκτώβριος 2025