Lean Green — Before Things Turn Red
At the turn of the century, the saying was: “Data is the new Oil.” Now data needs energy — and a lot of it — to power and cool the data center explosion driving the age of AI.
Global electricity demand is growing at 4.3% annually, ahead of GDP growth. ~1,100 TWh of new capacity must be added every year through 2030. And the shift is already happening: last year, despite fossil fuels still accounting for ~60% of global electricity generation, 92.5% of all new capacity additions were renewables.
The IEA Global Energy Review 2025 puts it starkly: China consumed more electricity than the US, EU, and India — combined. China: 10,400 TWh. The other three: 9,384 TWh.
What the numbers reveal
China — 37% of world electricity, 17% of global GDP. Drove 51% of last year’s demand increase and 64% of new green capacity added worldwide.
US & EU — ~53% of global GDP, only ~25% of electricity consumption. Just 21% of new green additions. The EU built green (12%); the US still runs 40% of its grid on gas.
India — fastest-growing major economy at 6%+ annual energy demand growth. But green build at only 5% of new global capacity. The green opportunity in India is compelling.
As energy geopolitics heat up, the economics for green energy are compelling too: solar with storage runs ~$96/MWh versus gas at ~$102 — on a global levelized cost basis, though regional variations apply. Beyond cost, renewables aren’t hostage to shipping lanes or sanctions. You can’t blockade the sun.
Energy will make or break competitive advantage in the AI era.
Lean Green — before things turn Red.
Sources: IEA Global Energy Review 2025 · IEA Electricity Mid-Year Update 2025 · IRENA Renewable Capacity Statistics 2025 · BNEF LCOE 2026 · Ember 2024/2025.
Originally published on LinkedIn