Core Insights - The article emphasizes the critical role of electricity in powering artificial intelligence (AI), suggesting that control over stable, cheap, and large-scale electricity supply is essential for technological advancement [1][30] - It highlights a significant shift in global power dynamics, moving from oil to electricity as the defining resource for geopolitical influence [1][28] Electricity Demand and AI Growth - The annual electricity consumption of a large AI data center is equivalent to that of 750,000 households, with global data center electricity use projected to reach 945 terawatt-hours by 2030, comparable to Japan's total annual consumption [3] - In China, the electricity consumption for internet data services surged by 33% year-on-year in the first half of 2025, with AI hubs like Hangzhou experiencing a staggering 237.7% increase [3] Energy Supply Challenges - The increasing demand for electricity due to AI is straining power grids, leading to frequent large-scale blackouts in countries like Spain, Czech Republic, and Brazil, with the U.S. being particularly affected [5] - In Georgia and Virginia, local governments have halted new data center approvals due to grid capacity nearing physical limits, with warnings from the U.S. Department of Energy about a potential doubling of blackout frequency by 2030 [6] Policy Responses and Energy Strategies - The U.S. is shifting towards practical energy solutions, prioritizing natural gas and coal over clean energy goals to meet rising electricity demands, with Georgia's projected demand growth of 16 times over the next seven years [8] - A $92 billion investment plan initiated in early 2025 allocates $15 billion for grid upgrades, with the remainder focused on AI infrastructure and traditional energy expansion [10] Global Energy Dynamics - China is leveraging geopolitical changes to enhance its energy security, increasing electricity imports from Russia significantly post-Ukraine conflict, while also exporting stability through energy projects in countries like Brazil and Thailand [12] - The article notes a structural shift in energy competition, with the U.S. and China adopting different approaches to energy and technology integration, impacting their respective positions in the global AI race [14][21] Future Outlook - The competition for energy resources is expected to intensify, with the next five years being crucial for establishing a stable, clean, and efficient energy-technology system [26] - The article concludes that electricity is becoming the new strategic resource of the 21st century, with implications for everyday life, including potential increases in electricity costs and changes in AI service pricing [28][30]
AI时代来了，电力成新石油！国外频频缺电，中国电量还扛得住吗？
Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-10-27 17:42