IEA：全球数据中心投资有望首超石油

Core Insights - The global data center investment is projected to reach $580 billion, surpassing investments in the oil sector, which are estimated at $540 billion [8] - The International Energy Agency (IEA) emphasizes that the current surge in electricity consumption is not limited to emerging economies but is also significantly driven by developed economies due to the demand from data centers and artificial intelligence [2][3] - By 2035, global energy demand is expected to rise from 654 exajoules (EJ) to 705 EJ, with electricity demand projected to increase by approximately 40% under current and stated policy scenarios [1][3] Investment Trends - The IEA forecasts that total investment in the energy sector will reach approximately $3.3 trillion in 2025, marking a 2% increase from 2024 and setting a historical high [1] - Investment in low-emission power, grids, low-emission fuels, energy efficiency, and end-use sectors is expected to rise from $1 trillion a decade ago to over $2 trillion by 2024, accounting for more than 60% of global investment [3] Electricity Demand Dynamics - The demand for electricity is anticipated to grow explosively, particularly driven by data centers and AI, with a projected annual growth rate exceeding 4% starting in 2024 [8] - By 2030, AI-optimized server electricity consumption is expected to increase fivefold, leading to a doubling of global data center electricity usage from current levels [8] Renewable Energy Outlook - Renewable energy sources, particularly solar and wind, are expected to meet the rising electricity demand, with solar photovoltaic demand growing the fastest [9] - The global nuclear power capacity is projected to increase by at least one-third by 2035, indicating a potential revival of nuclear energy [9] Infrastructure Challenges - The IEA highlights that while investment in generation has surged nearly 70% since 2015, annual investment in the grid has not kept pace, raising concerns about energy security [11] - Over 85% of new data center capacity is expected to be concentrated in the US, China, and the EU, which may exacerbate existing grid burdens [11] Strategic Mineral Supply Concerns - The market for critical minerals essential for the energy transition is highly concentrated, with a single country dominating the refining of 19 out of 20 strategic minerals [12] - Approximately 7.3 billion people still lack access to electricity, with significant disparities in coverage, particularly in rural and underdeveloped areas [12]