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Powering ChatGPT and the world’s data centers in 2026 will require more than 1,000 TWh of electricity — equivalent to Japan’s entire consumption.

Written by Douglas Avila

Published on 01/05/2026 at 06:22

Updated on 01/05/2026 at 06:23

Artificial Intelligence (AI), Renewable Energy, Sustainability

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In just three years, the world’s data centers have doubled their electricity consumption — and by 2026 they will burn as much electricity as all of Japan just to sustain the artificial intelligence and cryptocurrencies that have dominated the internet

AI data centers are on the verge of transforming the planet’s energy map. According to the Electricity 2024 – Analysis and Forecast to 2026 report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), the electricity consumption of these centers could exceed 1,000 terawatt-hours (TWh) by 2026 — equivalent to the total consumption of the world’s third-largest economy, Japan.

In 2022, the figure was 460 TWh, equivalent to 2% of global electricity demand. For 2026, the IEA projects a base scenario between 650 and 1,050 TWh, with the most likely version above one thousand. In other words, consumption practically doubles in just four years.

The main driver of this explosion is artificial intelligence. Indeed, large generative models — such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and Grok — require graphics processing units (GPUs) operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Compared to the pre-AI internet, each query made by common users consumes up to 10 times more energy than a traditional Google search.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW

Powering ChatGPT and the world’s data centers in 2026 will require more than 1,000 TWh of electricity — equivalent to Japan’s entire consumption.

In just three years, the world’s data centers have doubled their electricity consumption — and by 2026 they will burn as much electricity as all of Japan just to sustain the artificial intelligence and cryptocurrencies that have dominated the internet

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Powering ChatGPT and the world’s data centers in 2026 will require more than 1,000 TWh of electricity — equivalent to Japan’s entire consumption.

In just three years, the world’s data centers have doubled their electricity consumption — and by 2026 they will burn as much electricity as all of Japan just to sustain the artificial intelligence and cryptocurrencies that have dominated the internet

Gaddafi built the world’s largest artificial river under the Sahara — it’s 4,000 km of giant pipes that pump 40,000-year-old fossil water to entire cities in Libya.

Discovery in Africa scares even scientists: a study published on April 23 reveals that the crust in Turkana has become so thin that it could pave the way for the continent’s division and the emergence of an ocean in the future, in a gigantic geological transformation.

Japanese garbage collectors treat filthy trucks as if they were dealership cars, and the obsession with cleanliness is so absurd that they invented a washing machine that only exists for this type of vehicle.

Seen from high in the stratosphere, a Lego Star Devourers rose to 34,988 meters attached to a balloon, returned to Earth intact, and entered the Guinness World Records in a record that seems like science fiction.

In 1991, Brazil’s GDP was almost double India’s, and today it is little more than half: while India grew 6.5% per year and trained engineers, Brazil preferred to train lawyers, and now it is rushing to strengthen ties with the world’s fourth-largest economy.

India built a 21.8-kilometer sea bridge to connect Mumbai to Navi Mumbai, and a journey of up to 120 minutes fell to about 20.

South America’s most famous oasis has an emerald lagoon formed by underground waters in the Peruvian desert. It is located 300 km from Lima, is surrounded by giant dunes, and holds a mysterious mermaid legend.

The first 100% Brazilian aviation fuel came from soybeans: SAF Petrobras delivered 3,000 m³ at Galeão and is preparing R$ 17.5 billion to dominate the world market by 2027.

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Tuapse enters a state of emergency after an attack on an oil refinery, with a warning not to drink tap water, keep windows closed, and face severe environmental impact in southern Russia.

Petrobrás expands oil and gas production by 16.4% in early 2026, driven by the pre-salt, new platforms, and operational advancements that reinforce accelerated growth in the Brazilian energy sector.

Petrobrás breaks historical record and produces 3.23 million barrels per day in early 2026, driven by the pre-salt, new platforms, and operational advancements that reinforce its leadership in the energy sector.

The first 100% Brazilian aviation fuel came from soybeans: SAF Petrobras delivered 3,000 m³ at Galeão and is preparing R$ 17.5 billion to dominate the world market by 2027.