McKinsey projects 24% annual data center power demand growth through 2030, with supply likely to lag
McKinsey's Global Energy Perspective 2026 projects data center electricity demand could grow at a 24% compound annual rate through 2030. Its most likely scenarios all show power supply below IT compute demand, constrained by interconnection, permitting, transformer lead times, and turbine availability. More than 60% of operators now plan to combine on-site generation with grid access, according to McKinsey partner Sam DeFabrizio.
Why it matters
Builders and AI strategy leads should treat power access as the limiting factor through 2030, while keeping options open on generation and capital commitments because demand beyond the decade is less certain.
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