Data-center electricity demand has moved from a specialist planning issue to a central question for utilities, regulators, communities and the AI industry.
The current U.S. estimate
The Department of Energy released a Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory report estimating that data centers accounted for about 4.4% of U.S. electricity consumption in 2023, up from 1.9% in 2018.
These are national estimates, not a measure of every facility. Individual data centers vary widely by size, computing density, utilization, cooling design and power architecture.
Why projections use a range
DOE reported that data centers could account for approximately 6.7% to 12% of U.S. electricity consumption by 2028. A range is appropriate because future demand depends on new construction, AI adoption, equipment efficiency and how intensively installed systems are used.
How AI changes the demand outlook
AI workloads can require large concentrations of accelerators and supporting infrastructure. But “AI data center” is not a single technical category, and a project announcement does not by itself establish eventual operating load.
Useful evidence can include utility integrated-resource plans, transmission proceedings, interconnection documents, local approvals and company disclosures. Each source answers a different question.
Why air permits show only part of the picture
Air permits generally concern on-site emission sources such as engines and turbines. They may help identify a facility and its backup-power design, but they usually do not provide the facility’s total grid electricity consumption.
Common questions
How much U.S. electricity do data centers use?
The Department of Energy’s 2024 report estimated data centers used about 4.4% of U.S. electricity in 2023.
How much could data-center electricity use grow?
DOE reported a projected range of roughly 6.7% to 12% of U.S. electricity by 2028, reflecting uncertainty in demand growth.
Why is AI increasing data-center energy demand?
Training and operating AI systems requires dense computing infrastructure, while growth also depends on utilization, hardware efficiency, cooling and the pace of new construction.
Does an air permit show a data center’s grid electricity use?
Usually not. Air permits focus on on-site emission sources. Utility filings, interconnection records and company disclosures may be needed to understand grid demand.
Use the Virginia index to move from a project or operator name to a primary permit source.
Browse Virginia data centers →