Energy crisis or opportunity: AI changes the game for Czech data centres

Investment in artificial intelligence (AI) is experiencing unprecedented growth worldwide. This trend is having a significant impact on the energy consumption of data centres. According to IDC's latest report, the sharp rise in demand for AI is expected to lead to a substantial increase in data centre capacity, energy consumption and, consequently, greenhouse gas emissions.

Rapid growth in AI investment

According to IDC, the capacity of data centres dedicated purely to AI is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 40.5% through 2027. Energy consumption at these centres is forecast to rise by 44.7% annually. By 2027, it should reach 146.2 terawatt-hours, accounting for an increasingly large share of total data centre electricity consumption.

According to IDC, total electricity consumption in data centres is expected to more than double to 857 TWh by 2028. These figures clearly show that the growing use of AI technologies across various sectors, including energy, will require not only innovation but also a thorough approach to energy sustainability.

Impact of rising electricity costs on data centre operations

To better understand the impact of rising electricity costs on data centre operations, IDC conducted a scenario analysis. The study analysed three energy price growth scenarios in the United States, Germany and Japan. In all scenarios, electricity cost growth exceeded an average annual rate of 15%, with most scenarios showing growth of more than 20%.

According to Sean Graham, research director for Cloud to Edge Datacenter Trends at IDC, there are a number of ways to improve data centre efficiency. These range from technological solutions, such as improving chip efficiency or introducing liquid cooling, to redesigning data centres and innovating power distribution. However, Graham stresses that investment in renewable energy sources is crucial not only to increase overall electricity generation, but also to achieve sustainability for data centre customers.

Opportunities for Czech companies

Czech companies see artificial intelligence as a key element of their future competitiveness and growth. According to SAP's survey, “The future of Czech business in the AI era”, conducted by Ipsos, 83% of Czech companies already use artificial intelligence or plan to introduce it into their processes. This optimistic approach to AI represents a significant opportunity for companies in Czechia to improve their products, services and operational efficiency.

AI is becoming an essential part of senior management decision-making, with two-thirds of companies including it in their strategic plans. More than 40% of businesses expect AI to improve the quality of products and services. Nearly a quarter of companies see implementing the technology as an opportunity to expand into foreign markets. Predictions indicate that AI could increase the value of Czech companies by an average of 16% by 2025.

For Czech companies, AI therefore brings not only technological innovation but also competitive advantages, both on the domestic and international markets. These companies can further benefit from global AI trends. They can also take part in international projects, enabling them to expand and increase their added value in the market.

Future trends and challenges

While AI offers many opportunities for the energy sector, it also presents certain challenges. Implementing AI technologies requires investment in infrastructure and human resources, which can be costly. Companies must also ensure the proper integration of AI into existing systems and processes. Nevertheless, with growing investment and government support, AI can be expected to play an increasingly important role in the energy sector.

According to the IDC report, by 2026 every second energy producer is expected to use some form of artificial intelligence in its operations. This trend reflects growing pressure to decarbonise and the need for innovation in energy grid management.