On December 20, 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released the 2024 Report on U.S. Data Center Energy Use, prepared by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, showing that electricity consumption from data centers has surged and is set to double or triple by 2028. Data center electricity usage rose from 58 TWh in 2014 to 176 TWh in 2023, now accounting for 4.4% of U.S. demand. By 2028, usage is projected to reach 325–580 TWh, or 6.7–12% of total national electricity demand, driven by artificial intelligence applications, manufacturing growth, and broad electrification efforts.
To meet this rising demand, DOE is accelerating deployment of advanced solutions, including onsite generation and storage for data centers, repurposing retired coal facilities, and supporting innovative rate structures. The Department also promotes commercialization of next-generation geothermal, advanced nuclear, long-duration storage, and efficient semiconductor technologies. With over 30 programs and initiatives like the Electricity Demand Growth Resource Hub, DOE aims to ensure that data center expansion strengthens the U.S. grid, maintains affordability, and aligns with clean energy and decarbonization goals.