Published on: 2026-06-06
Source: Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
The world is entering a phase of structural growth in electricity consumption; in the coming years, there may be a shortage of generating capacity, said Igor Sechin, Responsible Secretary of the Commission under the President of the Russian Federation on issues of strategy for the development of the fuel and energy complex and environmental safety, at the Energy Panel of the XXIX St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
In his speech with a report, he noted the necessity of expanding and modernizing the entire energy infrastructure in connection with the application of artificial intelligence technologies. “According to forecasts, in the next five years the global demand for data center capacity may almost triple — up to 220 gigawatts, more than 70% of this volume will correspond to tasks related to artificial intelligence. At the same time, the new tariff will be distributed among all consumers,” Sechin noted.
He reminds that over the past two hundred years, the global economy has grown due to the consumption of fossil energy resources (coal, oil, gas). At the same time, in the 21st century, the energy system enters a new phase – a model ‘from molecules to electrons’ is being formed, the key element of which is data centers.
“The world today is entering a phase of structural growth in electricity consumption. By 2035, according to the forecast of the International Energy Agency, global demand for electricity will increase by almost 40%. Such rates require balanced development of the energy system, relying on stable and economically efficient generation,” emphasized Sechin.
He emphasized that, in his opinion, many experts believe that the high rates of new technology development we see today will soon lead to a shortage of generating capacity. In particular, Elon Musk expects an electricity shortage in about a year, and a semiconductor shortage within three to four years.
“Already today, data centers worldwide consume about 500 terawatt-hours per year, which, for example, exceeds the total electricity consumption of France. According to the forecast of the International Energy Agency, by 2035 this figure may increase two and a half times – up to 1200 terawatt-hours, which is comparable to the current level of electricity consumption in Russia,” Sechin added.
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PJSC “NK “Rosneft”
June 6, 2026
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