AI servers drive sharp rise in global data center power demand

TrendForce, a market research firm, has forecasted a 31% year-on-year increase in global data center power demand for 2026, reaching 161 gigawatts. This surge is primarily attributed to the rapid deployment of AI servers by cloud service providers (CSPs), which are expected to account for 33.4% of the total demand. The firm noted that power demand had already reached 122.9 gigawatts in 2025, with further growth projected for 2027, maintaining over 30% annual growth. TrendForce also warned that grid capacity will struggle to meet rising demand, with a projected shortfall of 268 gigawatts by 2030. The firm highlighted two key factors contributing to this gap: the exclusion of self-generated power from grid capacity calculations and delays in grid infrastructure development. These issues could lead to significant supply shortages in the coming years.