McKinsey Forecasts 24% Yearly Growth in Data Center Power Demand Through 2030
McKinsey projects that data center electricity demand will rise by 24% each year through 2030. Operators are increasingly looking at on-site power generation to address constraints. The lack of clarity after 2030 complicates decisions about how much infrastructure to add.
McKinsey's forecast, reported by Data Center Knowledge on Oct. 7, 2026, says data center electricity use will increase by roughly a quarter every year through 2030. The article sits within energy and power supply coverage, alongside related items about AI-related power surges and grid-interface design.
To manage constraints, operators are considering generating power at their sites. Because demand trends beyond 2030 remain unclear, planning how much new infrastructure to build is difficult.
Rapid growth in data center power use could intensify pressure on electricity grids and local energy planning. Operators, utilities, nearby communities, and cloud/AI customers may all feel effects. Some regions might see new on-site generation and infrastructure investment, while others could face higher costs or reliability concerns. The uncertainty after 2030 may make it harder for planners to avoid both underbuilding and overbuilding.