U.S. Data Centers May Use Nearly 10% of Power by 2030 — Post

The assessment is based on converging evidence from multiple highly authoritative sources that project a massive increase in electricity demand from U.S. data centers by 2030.The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the country's primary authority on energy statistics, has officially begun forecasting significant future growth in U.S. electricity demand directly linked to the proliferation of data centers. This shift in forecasting by the top government agency lends significant credibility to the idea of a major demand increase.A credible baseline is provided by the Pew Research Center, which states that data centers accounted for 4% of U.S. electricity use in 2024. To reach 'nearly 10%' by 2030 would require this share to more than double in six years. This magnitude of growth is supported by international projections. The International Energy Agency (IEA), for instance, forecasts that global data center electricity consumption could double by 2030, a trend that, if mirrored in the U.S., would place consumption around 8% or higher.This national trend is substantiated by regional forecasts from major grid operators. A report on PJM, a key U.S. power grid, indicates an expected 17% growth in its regional electricity demand by 2030, with data centers cited as the primary driver. While one source mentions PJM cutting its demand outlook, the revised forecast still reflects this massive growth, suggesting that even conservative estimates point to a substantial impact.While none of the provided sources explicitly state the U.S. national figure will be exactly 10%, the collective evidence makes 'nearly 10%' a highly plausible and likely forecast. The combination of an established 2024 baseline, official U.S. government acknowledgment of the trend, corroborating international projections, and concrete regional forecasts from grid operators creates a strong, consistent case supporting the statement's truthfulness.