Data center power demand may hit up to 1,050 TWh in 2026, review of 18 sources finds

The authors argue the strain comes less from the global total than from rapid expansion, geographic concentration, round-the-clock supply needs and mismatched building timelines. More than 8,000 data centers operate worldwide, about 33% in the United States, 16% in Europe and 10% in China. In Ireland, data centers took about 17% of national electricity demand in 2022, and projections put that near 32% in 2026.

The figures are projections drawn from existing reports, not new measurements. Some companies do not disclose installed capacity, consumption or cooling efficiency, so estimates carry significant uncertainty. The authors say sustainability will depend on locational and energy planning, efficiency, data transparency, coordinated grid expansion and low-carbon sources.

The authors used a qualitative, exploratory and descriptive method, reviewing technical reports, institutional publications, regulatory acts and efficiency standards in Portuguese and English. The sources included the International Energy Agency, Brazil's Ministry of Mines and Energy, Ireland's Commission for Regulation of Utilities, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, ASHRAE, FGV Energia and the European Parliament.

The regional comparison shows different pressure points. The United States and China see the largest absolute growth. Ireland faces risk from the high share of data centers in national demand. The EU is moving on transparency and efficiency rules, including Directive 2023/1791 on disclosure of energy use, water use and emissions. Brazil must plan grid access and reinforcements before loads connect.

On infrastructure, a data center can be built in two to three years while new generation and transmission face longer planning, licensing and financing. The authors say this can create connection queues, regional constraints and reinforcement costs. Data centers also need continuous supply, which makes solar and wind harder to rely on without storage or complementary generation.

The authors say efficiency alone will not cut total demand if processing volumes grow faster. They describe nuclear power as a firm low-carbon option with high upfront costs and long deployment times, and small modular reactors as an emerging option that still depends on technological, regulatory and economic advances.