The International Gas Union releases 'The Role of Gas in Powering AI-Driven Energy Demand' Report
Published by Emilie Grant,
Assistant Editor
Oilfield Technology,
Electricity demand growth is surging as data centres are becoming the new 'industrial load' of the artificial intelligence (AI) economy, and their electricity consumption is projected to double to 800 - 1000 TWh by 2030.
While renewables are expected to provide about half of the data centres’ electricity consumption by 2030, their inherent variability creates a mismatch with the flat, 24/7 load profile of data centres which requires not only more generation but, also, significantly more dispatchable capacity.
Gas is well positioned to provide the bulk of additional, flexible, dispatchable supply, while contributing to the current global decarbonisation goals. Gas-fired generation for data centres could nearly double by 2035, equal to ~60 bcm of incremental supply.
This Report argues the case for long-term energy planning to remain fact-based, transparent, and grounded in realistic assumptions about electricity infrastructure and the rapid expansion of AI driven technology, while demonstrating the role of Gas in powering this ever-increasing AI-driven energy demand.
Mr Menelaos (Mel) Ydreos, the Secretary General of the IGU and Chair of WGC2028, said: “Data centres can be built and energised much more rapidly than new generation and transmission projects which often face permitting, approval and construction constraints. With speed-to-power as the binding constraint, Gas will play an indispensable role in responding to this challenge, providing rapid ramping, firm capacity, and system stability.”
Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/digital-oilfield/15012026/the-international-gas-union-releases-the-role-of-gas-in-powering-ai-driven-energy-demand-report/