FEDS: Energy Use By US Data Centers Set To Triple By 2028

According to the Federal Department of Energy’s research the rapidly expanding use of data centers globally will see the share of US energy production used for data triple to nearly 12% from the current 4.4%.

In 2024, electrical energy production in the US increased by 2.9% for a total of 121 new TWh in capacity while demand for that new capacity increased by 3% due to data center and weather related demand. The top three sources of new energy production were solar (26.9% increase), wind (7.7% increase), and natural gas (3.3% increase).

To meet the estimated demand over the next three years, new energy production will have to increase by an additional 148 TWh, about 29% faster than the current rate of new production, by the start of 2028 to reach the midrange of US Department of Energy estimates for data centers being brought online.

The ability to bring projects online is absolutely critical to the continued expansion of new career building job opportunities for workers across the United States and we will continue to track this story closely.

The Association of Western Employers advocates for career building job opportunities for all of America’s workers everyday online and with leaders across the country.