The world is witnessing an AI revolution — and with it, an unprecedented surge in electricity demand. A new report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) reveals that by 2030, artificial intelligence (AI) data processing in the United States alone is expected to consume more electricity than all other energy-intensive manufacturing industries combined, including steel, aluminum, and cement production.
In advanced economies, data centers are projected to drive over 20% of the increase in electricity demand by the end of this decade. This trend highlights an uncomfortable truth: without immediate, large-scale investments in sustainable energy infrastructure, we risk powering the future of AI with yesterday’s fossil fuels.
To keep up with this digital energy surge, the IEA forecasts a growing dependence on both renewable energy and natural gas. While natural gas remains cost-effective, it is not the sustainable solution the planet needs. Renewable energy — solar, wind, hydro, and more — must take center stage.
At Grevola Limited, we believe the AI-driven future can and should be powered cleanly. We provide consultancy for sustainable energy solutions that are designed to help meet this growing demand with minimal environmental impact, offering businesses and communities the tools to invest in long-term, resilient infrastructure.
Cybersecurity also plays a key role in this energy transformation. As cyberattacks on utilities have tripled in recent years, AI is both a risk and a remedy. It’s becoming a crucial defense tool — but that protection itself demands power.
While AI can support energy efficiency and drive innovation in technologies like solar PV and battery storage, its overall footprint could still strain global grids if left unchecked. That’s why we need more than innovation — we need direction.
Governments, tech firms, and energy providers must collaborate to ensure the rapid growth of AI aligns with climate goals. And they must act now. Without decisive action, energy-hungry AI could stall global efforts to phase out polluting energy sources and delay the green transition.
At Grevola, we’re not just watching the energy landscape change — we’re building the solutions that will power its next chapter.