One of the most important ways for the world to tackle climate change is through renewable energy. However, the potential for renewables to bring about a sustainable future is threatened by the environmental impact of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. These technologies rely on data centres, whose incessant thirst for energy is challenging the ability of renewable sources to satisfy demand.

Meeting the energy challenge posed by data centres is essential to unlocking the true potential of renewable energy. This has led some to explore new ways to generate power, such as small modular reactors — smaller-scale nuclear reactors that are designed to be easier to assemble and transport to locations where extra grid capacity is needed. But a sustainable long-term solution will require a shift in the way energy producers, distributors and consumers think. Instead of constantly trying to satisfy an energy need that is growing exponentially, a move towards a ‘datacentric perspective’ would put considerations around data use at the heart of decisions around power generation and consumption. In other words, to ensure that renewable energy remains viable, the discourse about energy transition must include a focus on highlighting, regulating and limiting data-centre impact.

Nature Index 2025 Energy

The technologies that are becoming part of daily life — such as large language models and automated vehicles — all require data centres to store vast amounts of information. These global data centres consumed about 1% of global electricity in 2024, or 460 terawatt hours, which is roughly half the electricity consumed by residential households globally. In the United States, which is estimated to have the largest number of data centres in the world, centres consumed around 4.4% of all US electricity in 2024, a figure expected to rise to as much as 12% by 2028.

Electricity usage by data centres will continue to rise at an ever-increasing rate — and its global carbon footprint will follow. One 2022 study found that among information communications technologies, data centres are driving the fastest growth in the carbon footprint (D. Al Kez et al. J. Clean. Prod. 371, 133633; 2022).