Data centers have become a core piece of the digital economy. They keep artificial intelligence, cloud computing, e-commerce, and streaming services running, which puts them right at the center of today’s conversation about how to use energy more efficiently. The boom in generative and multimodal AI has pushed electricity demand to levels that are forcing companies to rethink how these facilities are designed and operated.
A Growing Energy Challenge
The massive amount of data being processed —along with increasingly complex AI models— has caused a significant jump in global electricity use. According to the International Energy Agency, data center demand could reach 800 to 1,000 TWh a year before 2026, roughly the same as Japan’s total electricity consumption. In the United States, these facilities already account for about 4% of the country’s electricity use, and that number could hit 9% by 2030.
All this puts a heavy load on local power grids and increases the need for more resilient infrastructure. And it’s not just about the servers themselves: up to 40% of the total energy consumption can come from cooling systems, especially in hot regions or high-density environments.
Environmental Impact and Structural Limitations
Energy use isn’t the only issue. Cooling requires large amounts of water, hardware has a significant carbon footprint, and constant equipment upgrades generate electronic waste. In countries like Mexico and Spain —where data centers are seen as strategic economic opportunities— outdated electrical systems add more complications to their expansion.
On top of that, manufacturing specialized hardware like GPUs and TPUs requires materials whose extraction consumes a lot of energy, widening the environmental impact beyond daily operations.
Paths Toward Efficiency and Better Practices
The industry is working on multiple approaches to curb rising energy use. Initiatives such as MIT’s Data Center Power Forum aim to balance AI development with energy sustainability by combining academic insight and real-world industry experience. Key areas of focus include:
- Efficient end-to-end design, from physical architecture to day-to-day operations.
- Decoupling data growth from energy consumption through optimized workloads and more efficient algorithms.
- Active lifecycle management to reduce waste and extend the lifespan of equipment.
- Advanced cooling systems, including liquid cooling, to lower thermal loads.
- Greater integration of renewable energy, paired with automated systems that adjust energy demand in real time.
On the regulatory side, the Spanish government is working on a new decree that will require reporting on efficiency and sustainability metrics, aiming to bring more transparency to the sector.
A Strategic Debate for the Digital Future
As AI continues to grow, a key question emerges: how can we build an energy-sustainable model that supports technological progress without risking grid stability or climate goals? Governments, companies, and universities all play a crucial role in setting common standards and developing technologies that boost efficiency.
Data centers can become engines of energy modernization if they adopt renewables, reuse waste heat, and apply flexible management practices. The challenge is big, but it also opens the door to a more resilient and responsible digital ecosystem.
