Russia Looks to Power AI Data Centers Without Overloading Energy Grids
It is expected that the country will be able to meet the fast-growing energy needs of AI data centers through domestic power generation and by cutting transmission losses.
The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence is driving a sharp rise in pressure on power systems worldwide. As early as 2026, energy consumption by AI-focused data centers could approach the level of major nation-states, experts say, making energy supply one of the tech sector’s most pressing challenges.
A Growing Appetite
Sergey Rybakov, CEO of the Nature and People Foundation, said energy consumption by AI data centers could reach around 1,050 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2026. That figure is comparable to the annual power demand of countries such as Russia or Japan.
The surge is driven not only by the training of large AI models but also by their everyday operation. According to international analytical centers, AI-related workloads could account for between 165 and 326 TWh per year by 2028. In the United States, data centers already consume about 4.4 percent of all electricity generated, and that share continues to rise.
Powering Artificial Intelligence
Globally, the problem is being addressed through several approaches. Major technology companies are investing in their own power generation, including solar and wind plants and other sources of low-carbon electricity. Google, Microsoft, and Amazon have publicly stated their goal of running data centers on renewable energy and improving server efficiency through advanced chips and cooling systems.
In Russia, the focus is on combining energy-efficient computing with readily available generation. Locating data centers near large power plants, including hydroelectric and nuclear facilities, reduces strain on distribution networks and cuts transmission losses. At the same time, Russian developers are increasingly optimizing AI models to require fewer computing resources without sacrificing performance.
Experts broadly agree that balancing AI development with the resilience of energy systems will be one of the key challenges of the coming years, both in Russia and globally. Russia, they say, has a strong chance to become a leader in supplying data centers with stable and relatively low-cost energy.
