AI power demand underestimated in current forecasts, 81% of energy executives say
More than eight in 10 energy industry decision-makers expect artificial intelligence to drive electricity demand beyond current forecasts, raising concerns about whether there's enough global infrastructure to power the rapid expansion of data centres. A global survey commissioned by Adipec , Abu Dhabi's annual energy conference, found that 81 per cent of energy industry insiders believe…
Eighty-one percent of energy executives believe that artificial intelligence will drive electricity demand beyond current forecasts, according to a global survey conducted by Adipec. This finding raises concerns about whether there is sufficient global infrastructure to support the rapid expansion of data centres, which consume about 950 terawatt-hours of electricity by 2030, roughly double the 2025 level.
The survey, commissioned by Adipec, found that 32 percent of respondents expect demand to be significantly higher than current projections, while only 3 percent anticipate demand to fall below forecasts. Technology and AI companies were identified by 43 percent of respondents as gaining the most influence over the energy sector, compared to 15 percent who selected governments and regulators.
Financial institutions and oil and gas companies were also identified as key players, with oil and gas companies expecting AI-driven efficiency to become a leading commercial opportunity over the next decade. The UAE is developing a 5-gigawatt AI campus, but a quarter of energy insiders believe the industry is unprepared for AI-driven electricity demand.
Written by urgent.news from The National UAE's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
