On May 14, 2024, iMasons Chairman and Founder, Dean Nelson was joined by Colby Cox from DC Byte for a live discussion covering in-depth insights from the Annual iMasons State of the Industry including digging into the global power constraints and trends in established and merging markets.
The 2024 State of the Digital Infrastructure Industry report provides a holistic picture of the importance of digital infrastructure and a guide to strategic decisions about where, when, and how digital infrastructure is built, operated, and maintained.
Through discussions among iMasons’ global members, four critical challenges were identified to meet this growing demand: securing access to sufficient power capacity, attracting and retaining talent, improving the industry’s public image, and maintaining commitments to environmental sustainability.
The report predicts that the industry power needs will double and possibly triple in size over the next 10 years with 38 GW of new capacity required for generative AI alone by 2028. Total power consumption by data centers could double by 2026 to more than 1,000 TWh, according to forecasts from the International Energy Agency.
On May 14th, Dean Nelson was joined by Colby Cox from DC Byte to discuss global power constraints and forecast trends for established and emerging markets. At that time, the data center industry was utilizing 95,580 megawatts (MW) of power, including live capacity, projects under construction, committed capacity, and early-stage developments.
Between April 2024, when the report was released, and the webinar in May—just six weeks later—another 11,369 MW had been added across the industry. This underscores the dynamic nature of the market and the importance of continually updating data to reflect rapid changes.
The Americas region leads the way in growth, with 8 gigawatts (GW) in early-stage projects. APAC follows closely, with 9,000 MW in early-stage and committed developments. “Between June 2024 and December 2029, we could potentially add 127 GW if current trends in construction and land development continue,” Nelson noted.
This rapid growth is largely driven by the evolving role of AI and ongoing supply chain challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. As Cox remarked, “Power has become one of the limiting factors.”
The 2024 State of the Digital Industry Report proposes a solution: Clean Energy Zones. These zones are designed to address power demands while balancing the needs of local and global communities.
“Clean Energy Zones are master-planned towns developed around concentrated sources of clean energy. They serve communities and support multiple industries, including data centers,” Nelson explained. “These zones are crucial as we strive to meet market demands in a way that is economically, ecologically, and socially sustainable.”
Watch the Full Webinar:
“Clean Energy Zones are master-planned towns developed around concentrated sources of clean energy. They serve communities and support multiple industries, including data centers. These zones are crucial as we strive to meet market demands in a way that is economically, ecologically, and socially sustainable.”
Watch the Webinar Series:
Dean Nelson and Heather Dooley discuss the increasing demand on the talent pipeline. Sustaining the current industry growth demands requires us to build, maintain, and operate digital infrastructure, yet the industry currently faces an estimated shortfall of 300,000 people by 2025.
Infrastructure Masons (iMasons) is a global, nonprofit, professional association of individuals connected and empowered to build a greater digital future for all.