AI Drives Up Carbon Emissions in Data Centers

Published on 4.10.25

  The rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming various sectors, including the energy industry. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), AI-focused data centers are expected to increase demand for coal and gas-powered plants due to their high energy requirements. This shift is driven by the need for power to support the expansion of data centers, which will likely lead to a significant increase in carbon emissions linked to electricity consumption. The IEA predicts that carbon emissions from data center electricity consumption will rise from 180 million tonnes today to 300 million tonnes by 2035. The agency also notes that AI can reduce emissions through cost-cutting measures, such as optimizing energy usage and improving efficiency. However, the current trend suggests that the growth of AI-driven data centers is likely to increase carbon emissions in the short term. The US Energy Department is taking steps to address this issue by identifying potential sites for new data centers in states like Washington, Nevada, and South Carolina.

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