Russia’s Data Center Energy Consumption Set to Surge 2.5x by 2030
As Russia’s data economy accelerates, energy demand from data centers is expected to rise 2.5 times by 2030. The government is already taking steps to modernize power capacity and build new infrastructure to support this growth.
The Power Foundation
Reliable energy supply is one of the critical components of any advanced IT infrastructure. It ensures uninterrupted operation of computing systems and minimizes voltage fluctuations that could damage vital components. Energy provisioning for digital infrastructure was the main topic of a government meeting chaired by Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, with participation from the Ministries of Energy, Economic Development, and Digital Affairs.
The discussion focused on expanding the country’s network of data centers, a key pillar in Russia’s push for technological sovereignty.
According to the Ministry of Digital Development and the Government’s Analytical Center, the total energy consumption of data centers in Russia is projected to increase from 1 GW to 2.5 GW by 2030 — a 2.5-fold growth. Participants also reviewed measures to ensure sustainable energy supply for the expanding AI ecosystem.
Expanding Capacity
Following the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister approved the creation of an interagency task force led by the Ministry of Energy. The group will include representatives from leading energy companies, technology firms, and government agencies. Its goal: to conduct a comprehensive analysis of solutions for powering AI-oriented data centers and optimize existing capacity.
The group will also explore opportunities for building new power-generation facilities in partnership with the tech industry. The projected rise in power demand is a clear indicator of rapid IT-sector expansion — particularly the growth of cloud services and big data platforms. These initiatives are creating new opportunities for businesses and investors alike.
Preferential Energy Tariffs
To balance the grid load, the Russian government is working on regulatory measures to distribute power demand more evenly. Currently, data centers account for about 2% of national electricity use — roughly the same as in 2024. However, energy demand has been redistributed after the nationwide ban on cryptocurrency mining, freeing capacity in several regions.
Authorities are now considering special electricity tariffs for data centers in energy-rich regions where generation exceeds local demand. Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin proposed the initiative in June 2025 to stimulate investment in domestic data center infrastructure. Electricity costs represent a major expense for operators, who have long advocated for reduced rates to support expansion.
A Growing Market
According to iKS-Consulting, Russia’s commercial data center market reached about $1.5 billion in 2024, up 16% year-over-year. Total rack capacity is expected to reach 85,800 units by the end of 2025, an increase of roughly 5%. This steady growth underlines the sector’s resilience and strategic value for the broader economy.
Stable energy access is critical not only for domestic expansion but also for export potential. As Russia develops greater computing power, it could become a regional hub for cloud storage, digital services, and content delivery to partner nations. In parallel, the energy industry stands to benefit from this trend, as it will drive demand for new generation capacity and modernization of existing infrastructure.
