US Data Centers Could Quadruple Water Use by 2028, Double Electricity Use by 2030
Summary
A report warns US data centers could quadruple water use by 2028 and double electricity use by 2030, raising environmental and grid reliability concerns.
The article reports that US data centers consumed 183 TWh of electricity in 2024, accounting for over 4% of the country’s total electricity use. Projections indicate a 133% increase in demand by 2030, posing challenges for policymakers and communities concerned about health, safety, and sustainability. The Kansas Health Institute report highlights the role of data centers in slowing the transition to clean energy due to reliance on fossil fuels and insufficient renewable sources.