IDCA research finds datacentres consume 6% of UK and US electricity supply (theguardian.com)

• Datacentres use 6% of UK and US electricity, up 15% globally in two years.
• Global investment in datacentres nears $1tn annually (1% of global economy).
• IDCA warns 5% grid consumption triggers community backlash.
• 13% of US datacentre energy wasted on unused 'zombie' services.

"The International Data Center Authority (IDCA) reports that datacentres now use 6% of electricity in the UK and US, a 15% increase globally over two years. Annual global investment in datacentres approaches $1tn. The IDCA warns that community and political backlash typically occurs when consumption passes 5% of national grids. The UK government had earlier estimated 2.5% usage in 2025, predicting a fourfold increase by 2030. Greenpeace UK urges transparency and a ban on new fossil-fuel plants for AI."