Shafaqna English- Surging demand for electricity from artificial intelligence data centers is straining power grids and undermining efforts to cut carbon emissions, according to two new reports released Wednesday, according to Inside Climate News.
Energy Consultancy Wood Mackenzie and the Center for Biological Diversity found that the rapid expansion of AI-driven data infrastructure is extending the life of fossil fuels and pushing global climate targets out of reach. Many new data centers are being powered by coal and gas, despite global commitments to phase them out.
Wood Mackenzie said no major economy including the USA, UK, or Japan is currently on track to meet 2030 emission goals. The USA faces the steepest shortfall, needing a 76% increase in clean energy investment to reach net-zero by 2050.
The Center for Biological Diversity warned that if AI-powered data centers continue to rely on fossil fuels, “all other sectors of the USA’s economy would need to cut emissions by 60%” to stay on target.
Experts say the AI surge could still aid decarbonization but only if paired with aggressive investment in renewables and stronger regulatory oversight.
Source: Inside Climate News