Developers of AI datacentres plan to build on-site gas power stations with a total capacity of 181 gigawatts (GW) to meet their energy needs. This capacity is nearly four times the peak electricity demand of Great Britain. A report from BloombergNEF, released on Wednesday, notes that these gas-fired plants are being proposed due to delays in connecting to national grids in the US, UK, and mainland Europe.
Key Details
The rollout of these power stations could lead to emissions of about 345 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent each year in the US. This amount is similar to the annual greenhouse gas emissions from around 72.8 million fossil fuel cars. Mark Daly, head of datacentres and emerging tech at BloombergNEF, said, "The extraordinary economics around AI are making speed to power one of the most important priorities for defining constraints on datacentre developers."
Background
As global leaders meet in Turkey for the 31st UN climate summit, the report raises concerns about the climate impact of these developments. While the summit focuses on increasing electrification from clean sources, many European leaders are attending a separate AI summit in Dublin. The report predicts that by 2035, the electricity demand of AI datacentres could nearly quadruple to 2,354 terawatt-hours, making up about 7% of global electricity demand.
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The proposed gas power stations could increase carbon emissions, affecting sectors focused on sustainability and clean energy. Investors may respond to the potential for regulatory changes regarding emissions and energy sources. Keep an eye on developments from the UN climate summit and the AI summit in Dublin for more insights on energy policies and sustainability initiatives.
Based on reporting by: theguardian.com