AI boom pushes Belgium’s data center power demand toward eightfold increase

Electricity consumption by large data centers in Belgium is expected to increase nearly eightfold by 2034 as demand for artificial intelligence (AI) and digital services accelerates, according to figures from Belgian transmission system operator Elia.

The country's 47 large data centers currently consume about 3.2 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity annually, equivalent to roughly 1 million households and about 4% of Belgium's total electricity use, figures broadcaster VRT cited Friday.

Elia forecasts that electricity demand from large data centers could reach 27.3 TWh by 2034.

Data centers are expected to become an increasingly important driver of electricity demand in Belgium, alongside the growing use of electric vehicles and heat pumps.

The increase raises questions about how Belgium and neighboring countries will meet rising electricity demand, particularly when domestic generation is constrained.

Belgium has increasingly relied on electricity imports during periods of high demand or reduced domestic generation.

The rapid expansion of data centers is also putting pressure on electricity networks elsewhere in Europe.

The Netherlands has faced grid congestion in several regions, limiting the ability of companies and other customers to obtain new electricity connections.

Other major European data center hubs, including Frankfurt, Paris and London, are also experiencing growing constraints on available grid capacity.

Ireland has taken measures to limit the expansion of data centers in areas where new facilities could place additional pressure on the electricity system.