The rise of digital technologies, driven in particular by artificial intelligence, could lead to a sharp increase in electricity consumption related to data centers in France in the coming years. In a prospective study published Tuesday, the French Agency for Ecological Transition anticipates a potential surge if current practices are not modified.
In 2024, France had just over 350 data centers, with an estimated annual consumption of slightly more than 8 terawatt-hours. This is in addition to a significant portion of electricity consumed abroad, linked to digital services used by French citizens but hosted outside the country. This total already represents nearly 24 terawatt-hours per year.
Increased dependence on foreign infrastructure
According to the least favorable scenarios studied by the agency, the total consumption associated with the digital uses of the French could exceed 100 terawatt-hours per year by 2035. A large part of this increase would be attributable to data centers located outside of France, often powered by more carbon-intensive energy mixes, which would significantly increase the overall climate footprint.
Ademe emphasizes, however, that these trajectories are not inevitable. In the long term, depending on the technological, regulatory, and environmental choices made, the electricity consumption of data centers could either decrease sharply or increase dramatically by 2060. The study therefore argues for rapid anticipation to prevent the digital transition from coming at the expense of climate objectives.
