Key themes 2025: what data centres, tariffs and grid bottlenecks mean for the energy transition

Core Insights - Data centres are significantly driving global electricity demand, projected to consume 945 terawatt-hours by 2030, which is about 3% of global consumption [4] - The energy industry is adapting to meet the rising demand from data centres through various strategies, including co-locating data centres with power generation facilities and negotiating long-term power purchase agreements [2][3] - The relationship between data centres and energy sources is complex, with gas and coal expected to meet over 40% of data centre electricity demand until at least 2030, while renewables are anticipated to increase their share significantly [7][8] Group 1: Data Centre Demand and Energy Supply - Data centres are becoming a major driver of electricity demand, expected to use more power than all other energy-intensive industries combined in the US by 2030 [4] - The rapid growth of data centres is complicating the energy transition, potentially delaying the retirement of fossil fuel capacity due to increased reliance on gas [7] - Hyperscalers are major buyers of renewables and are investing in energy storage and advanced grid technologies to support their operations [8][9] Group 2: Energy Transition Challenges - The power industry is facing challenges in meeting the energy needs of data centres, as energy systems often take longer to develop than the centres themselves [3] - Gas-fired power is seen as a solution for grid stability, but the gas industry is struggling with supply issues, leading to delays in turbine deliveries and increased project costs [17] - The renewable energy supply chain is facing pressures from tariffs and trade policies, which could hinder deployment despite the growth in solar module production [19][20] Group 3: Nuclear Power and Future Projections - Nuclear power is emerging as a viable option for co-locating with data centres due to its stable load profile, with small modular reactors (SMRs) being particularly promising [11][14] - Policy support for SMR projects is increasing, making them more bankable and likely to be deployed for data centres in the coming years [13] - GlobalData forecasts that at least 3GW of additional data centre-linked SMR capacity will be commissioned in the next three years, with nuclear deployment peaking between 2031 and 2035 [14] Group 4: Grid Infrastructure and Storage Solutions - Despite investments in transmission and distribution (T&D) infrastructure, power grids are still struggling to keep pace with new capacity, leading to longer interconnection queues [25] - Grid reforms are being implemented to ease constraints, with various countries updating regulatory rules to streamline connection processes [26] - Energy storage, particularly battery technology, is becoming essential for modern power systems, with significant increases in capacity expected in the coming years [30]