SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

IEA Launches Observatory to Monitor AI’s Energy Impact

The International Energy Agency (IEA) is preparing to launch a global observatory in April to measure the energy footprint of data centers. This initiative aims to centralize reliable data as electricity consumption linked to artificial intelligence (AI) continues to grow rapidly.

Share:

Gain full professional access to energynews.pro from 4.90$/month.
Designed for decision-makers, with no long-term commitment.

Over 30,000 articles published since 2021.
150 new market analyses every week to decode global energy trends.

Monthly Digital PRO PASS

Immediate Access
4.90$/month*

No commitment – cancel anytime, activation in 2 minutes.

START NOW — 4.90$/month

*Special launch offer: 1st month at the indicated price, then 14.90 $/month, no long-term commitment.

Annual Digital PRO Pass

Full Annual Access
99$/year*

To access all of energynews.pro without any limits

SUBSCRIBE — 99$/year

*Introductory annual price for year one, automatically renewed at 149.00 $/year from the second year.

Sign up for free to unlock this article

Artificial intelligence is on track to become a major driver of global energy consumption. In response to this trend, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has announced the creation of an observatory dedicated to assessing the energy impact of data centers and digital infrastructures. The stated objective is to quantify the electricity requirements of AI-powered systems accurately and to provide open-source data.

A Rapidly Growing Energy Demand

Data centers, key components of AI-based technologies, accounted for approximately 1.4% of global electricity consumption in 2023, according to a study by Deloitte. This figure is expected to nearly triple by 2030, reaching 3%, or about 1,000 terawatt-hours (TWh)—equivalent to the combined electricity consumption of France and Germany.

According to IEA estimates, data center consumption could increase by more than 75% between 2022 and 2026 due to the accelerated growth of AI applications and cryptocurrencies. This trend is driven by the increasing computing power required to train and operate these advanced models.

An Initiative to Centralize Data

The initiative announced by the IEA aims to monitor, in real-time, the evolving energy consumption of data centers worldwide. The organization will collaborate with industry players to obtain detailed insights, allowing for a more precise analysis of electricity demand trends.

According to the Élysée, the observatory will help consolidate and provide reliable data to counter the fragmentation of figures reported in the media. For governments and businesses, the key challenge is to accurately assess AI’s impact on energy infrastructures and anticipate future electricity demand.

A Broader Strategic Framework

At the same time, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is working on establishing a coalition of AI companies to ensure a coordinated approach to energy optimization. This initiative, announced at the Paris Summit on Artificial Intelligence, seeks to develop strategies that support AI expansion while managing its impact on electrical grids.

In this context, the IEA’s observatory could become a benchmark tool for tracking sector developments and assisting decision-makers in preparing for the increasing electricity needs driven by emerging technologies.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
Iberdrola adds 708 MW of solar capacity to joint venture with Norges Bank
EDF power solutions and El Paso Electric launch 150 MW solar facility in New Mexico
TotalEnergies sells Norwegian oil assets to Vår Energi to reduce debt
Clariant targeted by BP and ExxonMobil in ethylene case
Exxon to cut up to 500 jobs in Singapore as part of global restructuring
Veolia and TotalEnergies sign agreement to optimise industrial resources
Veolia and TotalEnergies formalise a strategic partnership focused on water management, methane emission reduction and industrial waste recovery, without direct financial transaction.
North Atlantic takes key step toward acquiring Esso S.A.F.
North Atlantic and ExxonMobil have signed an agreement for the sale of ExxonMobil’s stake in Esso S.A.F., a transaction subject to regulatory approvals and financing agreements to be finalised by the end of 2025.
CPP Investments injects $1 billion into AlphaGen to support AI-driven energy growth
The Canadian pension fund takes a strategic minority stake in AlphaGen, a 11 GW U.S. power portfolio, to address rising electricity demand from data centres and artificial intelligence.
BlackRock and Canada Pension Plan finalise $6.2bn Allete buyout with Minnesota approval
Minnesota’s public regulator has approved the $6.2bn acquisition of energy group Allete by BlackRock and the Canada Pension Plan, following adjustments aimed at addressing rate concerns.
Statkraft sells its district heating business for NOK3.6bn to Nordic consortium
Statkraft continues its strategic shift by selling its district heating unit to Patrizia SE and Nordic Infrastructure AG for NOK3.6bn ($331mn). The deal will free up capital for hydropower, wind, solar and battery investments.
Petronas Gas separates regulated and non-regulated activities in major reorganisation
Petronas Gas restructures its operations by transferring regulated and non-regulated segments into separate subsidiaries, following government approval to improve transparency and optimise the group’s investment management.
Marubeni creates power trading joint venture with SmartestEnergy in Japan
Marubeni Corporation has formed a power trading unit in joint venture with UK-based SmartestEnergy, targeting expansion in Japan’s fast-changing deregulated market.
Phoenix Energy begins trading preferred shares on NYSE American under PHXE.P
Phoenix Energy raised $54.08mn through a preferred stock offering now listed as PHXE.P on NYSE American, with an initial dividend scheduled for mid-October.
TotalEnergies cuts investments while accelerating energy production
TotalEnergies plans to increase its energy production by 4% annually until 2030, while reducing global investments by $7.5bn amid what it describes as an uncertain economic environment.
Occidental in talks to sell OxyChem in a $10bn deal
Occidental Petroleum is considering selling its chemical subsidiary OxyChem for $10bn, a transaction that forms part of its deleveraging strategy launched after several major acquisitions.
ABO Energy considers operating its own wind and solar parks
ABO Energy is assessing a shift to independent power production by operating its own renewable parks, signalling a major strategic move in a market that has become more favourable.
Fortescue forges global industrial alliances to electrify its mining operations
Fortescue accelerates the decarbonisation of its operations by leveraging an international network of technology and industrial partners, targeting net zero at its mining sites by 2030.
Pemex approves partial debt buyback totalling $9.9bn
Mexican state-owned company Pemex confirmed the partial acceptance of bond securities under its debt repurchase offer, with a total allocation of $9.9bn, following strong oversubscription.
MET Group takes full control of Slovak subsidiary and enters Albania
Swiss energy company MET strengthens its footprint in Central and Southeast Europe with the full acquisition of MET Slovakia and the launch of a new operational subsidiary in Albania.
Gresham House acquires SUSI Partners to become a leading European energy player
UK-based Gresham House will acquire Swiss investment manager SUSI Partners, strengthening its international footprint in energy transition infrastructure.
Spruce Power cuts jobs and closes Denver office to save $20mn annually
Spruce Power launches an internal reorganisation aimed at reducing annual operating costs by $20mn, with the closure of its Denver office and a refocus on key initiatives to strengthen profitability.
TotalEnergies adjusts share buybacks and strengthens employee shareholding for 2026
TotalEnergies’ Board of Directors is adjusting its shareholder return strategy while consolidating its multi-energy growth and employee shareholding plan amid an uncertain energy and geopolitical landscape.
Fermi America signs two energy deals with Siemens Energy for 2 GW in 2026
Fermi America has signed two letters of intent with Siemens Energy to supply an additional 1.1 GW of gas turbines and collaborate on nuclear steam turbines as part of its 11 GW private energy campus dedicated to artificial intelligence.
Aker invests $285mn in Nscale and acquires 9.3% equity stake
Aker becomes one of Nscale’s largest shareholders following a $1.1bn funding round, reinforcing its exposure to large-scale artificial intelligence infrastructure.
TenneT secures equity funding for Germany via three European investors
TenneT Holding has reached an agreement with APG, GIC and NBIM to finance the expansion of the German high-voltage grid, securing its capital needs for the coming years.