{
  "id": 14672342,
  "title": "AI boom puts growing strain on electricity grids, says Hitachi Energy CEO",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/ai-boom-puts-growing-strain-on-electricity-grids-says-hitachi-energy",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-10-15T10:37:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Channel News Asia",
    "slug": "channel-news-asia",
    "url": "https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/ai-boom-strain-electricity-grids-hitachi-energy-ceo-6461951"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Hitachi Energy CEO Andreas Schierenbeck warned at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in New Delhi that the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence and data centers is straining electricity grids worldwide. The data centers have grown from 20-30 megawatts to two gigawatts in size. The International Energy Agency forecasts that data center electricity consumption will double from 485 terawatt-hours in 2025 to 950 TWh by 2030, surpassing Japan's annual consumption. Schierenbeck identified inadequate grid infrastructure as the primary barrier to meeting rising electricity demand and expanding renewable energy capacity. Germany serves as an example, with grid limitations delaying the connection of renewable energy projects. The IEA reports that over 2,500 gigawatts of renewable energy, large-load, and storage projects are stalled in grid-connection queues globally. Hitachi Energy is supporting India's grid expansion through HVDC transmission technology and expanding its manufacturing operations in the country. The company plans to invest USD 20 billion in a new power transformer factory in Vadodara, Gujarat. Schierenbeck emphasized that upgrading grids, though costly, would ultimately lower energy costs by enabling more power generation facilities to connect to electricity networks. The CEO also highlighted the importance of diversifying manufacturing sources to mitigate risks posed by disruptions and energy crises.",
  "summary": "Speaking to CNA at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in New Delhi, Hitachi Energy’s Andreas Schierenbeck says expanding electricity networks is essential to meeting rising energy needs.",
  "key_points": [
    "AI and data centers strain electricity grids globally",
    "Data center consumption to double to 950 TWh by 2030",
    "Grid infrastructure limits renewable energy expansion"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "CNA - Business",
        "title": "AI boom puts growing strain on electricity grids, says Hitachi Energy CEO",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/ai-boom-puts-growing-strain-on-electricity-grids-says-hitachi-energy-14678309",
        "published": "2026-10-15T10:37:53.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}