Global Power Use Up from AI, ACs, and EVs

Global electricity consumption rose by 4.3% in the past year, driven by the increased use of air conditioning, electric vehicles, and artificial intelligence data centers. This was nearly double the average increase over the past decade. The rise in cooling demand due to higher temperatures and the electrification of transport contributed significantly. While CO₂ emissions increased by 0.8%, renewable energy helped mitigate a 7% higher potential increase. The International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that this rapid growth in electricity demand could reverse the decline in energy use in advanced economies.