One measure.
Two geographies.
Compare the United States and China through consistent units, explicit boundaries and dated evidence. Geography reveals where demand meets the grid.
New evidence · 19 October 2026
NEWIEA, 14 October 2026: 134 policy measures across more than 34 jurisdictions covering about 90% of global data-centre capacity. In H1 2026, signed PPAs represented 45 TWh; this is contracted energy, not measured electricity consumption.
IEA original report and executive summaryThe scale of demandENERGY IN CONTEXT
Estimated global data center electricity use
Projected global data center electricity use
Combined share of global use: approximately 45% + 25%
Shares of global data center electricity use, 2024
Source: IEA, Energy and AI (2025). Figures cover all data centers, not AI alone, facility counts or installed capacity. The remaining 30% is calculated as 100% − 45% − 25%. The 2030 value is a projection.
2026 update (IEA, 14 October): 134 identified data-centre electricity-integration policies and regulations across more than 34 jurisdictions (about 90% of global data-centre capacity). Operators signed 45 TWh of PPAs in the first half of 2026 (almost 70% US). These are policy inventory and contracted-energy measures — NOT additional metered electricity use. IEA source ↗
A timeline of evidencePOLICY / CASE / EVIDENCE
Computing-hub implementation plan issued
A starting point for tracing national planning into local projects and power arrangements.
Read the policy commentary →Susquehanna interconnection amendment decision
The justification for non-standard terms provides a concrete entry into co-location research.
Read the order commentary →IEA publishes Energy and AI
The 2024 estimate and 2030 projection provide a common quantitative background.
Read the report ↗Large-load regulation meets long-term supply commitments
FERC accepted the PJM 50 MW Large Load Registry while rejecting the proposed IRAS/BYONC scheme. Google–Constellation, Amazon–Constellation and AEP–Google show distinct routes to contracted generation. The IEA report quantifies policy growth and signed PPAs; numbers are not plant output or metered demand.
FERC order → · Google nuclear PPA → · Cheyenne fuel cells → · IEA research →