The demand for electric power is accelerating faster than the need for data center capacity, posing a potential obstacle to the growth of cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) services. Vertiv’s optimistic forecast of doubling its power systems capacity highlights the critical role of power infrastructure in supporting the surge in cloud and AI technologies. The energy demand is exacerbated by the construction of data centers, with estimates suggesting the U.S. alone may require over 100 gigawatts of new capacity in the next decade. This challenge is further compounded by aging electrical grids and increasing AI-driven computational loads, necessitating sustainable solutions and careful management of power consumption to sustain growth in the technology sector.
