AI and Crypto Data Centers Strain Power Grids Worldwide

The surge in demand for artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency mining has significantly increased electricity consumption globally, creating mounting pressure on power grids. This trend is underscored by a recent thermal satellite image from UK-based company SatVu, which provides insights into the heat output of high-load data centers, including a Bitcoin-mining facility in Rockdale, Texas.

The high-resolution thermal image, released in December 2025, reveals operational activity within one of the largest Bitcoin mining data centers in the United States. This site, operated by Riot Platforms, is known for its substantial energy requirements, estimated at approximately 700 megawatts. This demand is comparable to the electricity consumption of around 300,000 homes, highlighting the intense strain on local power infrastructure.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), data centers consumed about 415 terawatt-hours of electricity in 2024, which accounted for approximately 1.5% of global power consumption. The rapid growth of AI technologies, particularly following the release of ChatGPT in November 2022, has further accelerated this trend. Tech companies are investing heavily in AI, resulting in increased demand for power-intensive computing.

Data Center Expansion and Environmental Concerns

Investment in data center infrastructure is projected to rise significantly throughout this decade. SatVu cites a McKinsey estimate indicating that more than $7 trillion will be spent globally by 2030, with demand in the United States growing by 20% to 25% annually. As of October 2025, nearly 9,000 data centers were operational worldwide, with projections suggesting that this number could triple by 2030.

This surge in data centers raises concerns about the environmental impact of their operations. Many countries housing these facilities are struggling to meet the rising power demand, prompting regulators to express alarm about escalating electricity usage, water consumption for cooling systems, and broader environmental implications.

Thermal imagery plays a crucial role in understanding these developments. As Thomas Cobti, Vice President of Business Development at SatVu, notes, “Today’s data center buildout is moving incredibly quickly, and the world needs better ways to understand what’s actually happening on the ground.” He emphasizes that thermal data provides an objective view of operational activities as they occur, allowing for better assessment of their impact.

As the demand for AI and cryptocurrency mining continues to grow, the balance between technological advancement and environmental sustainability becomes increasingly critical. The ongoing expansion of data centers reflects not only a technological shift but also the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address their energy consumption and environmental footprint.