Switzerland Faces Power Grid Challenges Amid Rapid Data Centre Growth
Switzerland's data centres, currently consuming 6-8% of the nation's electricity, are projected to account for 10-15% by 2030, raising public concerns over energy usage and the need for renewable sources. With some areas of the national grid unable to support additional demand, data centre operators are relocating, while the government is reconsidering nuclear power to prevent future shortages. An analysis indicates a need for an additional 4.6 TWh of electricity, driven by the growth of AI applications, prompting calls for improved efficiency and transparency.
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Switzerland's data centres, which currently account for 6-8% of the country's electricity consumption, are projected to consume 10-15% by 2030. Public concern is rising, with 72% of residents advocating for renewable energy sources for new centres, and 80% demanding more transparency in energy usage.
The government is reconsidering nuclear power capacity to address potential future electricity shortages. The Electricity Company of the Canton of Zurich (EKZ) reports that some areas of the national grid cannot accommodate additional demand, prompting data centre operators to relocate to other cantons.
An ETH Zurich analysis estimates a need for an additional 4.6 TWh of electricity to meet future demands. The growth of AI applications is expected to increase energy consumption significantly, leading to calls for improved efficiency and transparency in data centre operations.
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