Schneider Electric Outlines Pathways for a Modern, Resilient Grid to Power America's AI-Driven Future
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Schneider Electric leaders to share actionable strategies to strengthenU.S. grid reliability, resiliency, and efficiency at BNEF 2025
New Report: Powering Sustainable AI in
As the industry gathers at BNEF to tackle the most pressing energy and sustainability challenges,
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AI will drive up to 50% of
U.S. electricity demand growth by 2030: Rapid adoption of AI technologies is creating a surge in electricity demand, outpacing other electrification drivers like transport and heating. - Data center expansion is on a collision course with infrastructure limitations: Projected increases of 43–92 GW in data center capacity by 2030 face major hurdles from outdated grid interconnection processes, permitting delays, and supply chain bottlenecks.
- Infrastructure deficits could impede AI development: The "Limits to Growth" scenario warns that without grid modernization, energy scarcity will constrain innovation and global competitiveness, especially if mitigation efforts focus only on power efficiency.
- Unchecked demand growth risks triggering system-wide inefficiencies: In an "Abundance Without Boundaries" scenario, AI power demand could reach 500 TWh by 2030, which would overwhelm grid capacity, drive up consumer costs and encourage oversized, inefficient infrastructure.
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An unmanaged surge could result in a national or regional energy crisis: Without significant investment in flexibility, distributed energy, and behind-the-meter solutions, power demand could exceed 173 GW by 2030, placing critical pressure on the grid and exposing seven regional operators, including MISO, PJM, and
ERCOT , to reserve shortfalls by 2028.
"The rapid and widespread adoption of AI coupled with the soaring demand for electricity are fundamentally reshaping America's energy landscape", said
The New Reality of
These findings from
- It's taking longer and longer to secure more grid capacity: 44% of respondents indicate their average quoted utility wait times are longer than 4 years
- The grid is the top concern for new data center projects: #1 barrier slowing down data center projects is grid constraints, with 92% seeing it as the most significant obstacle
- The industry is turning to new regions to get the power it needs: #1 region for "Plan B" power availability if the first choice couldn't provide timely power is the Midwest
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Industry insiders see one region as having the fastest time to power: #1 region for fastest time to power in recent years is the
Mountain West - As the data centers chase electrons, the industry is increasingly thinking outside the grid: 6 in 10 reported they would deploy on-site power generation systems if they ran into concerns about power availability — the top-ranked option
"I've been in the power industry over 30 years, and I have never seen a moment like this," said
To download the Powering Sustainable AI In
A Defining Moment for
The BNEF Summit brings together ideas, insights and connections to build successful strategies, leverage technological advancements and shape a more competitive future.
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Aamir Paul , President of North America Operations atSchneider Electric , will speak at9:40 a.m. EDT onApril 29 on the panel "U.S. Energy Transition Strategies: The Next Phase," exploring key risks and opportunities for developers and investors shaping the next chapter of the energy transition. -
Erin Decker , Senior Director, Renewable Energy and Carbon Advisory atSchneider Electric , will be speaking in a Partner Spotlight at11:50 a.m. EDT onApril 30 . -
Erin Decker will also be accompanied byIsabel Harrison , Senior Sustainability consultant atSchneider Electric , as a speaker during the themed lunch session, "Evolving to Address Challenges in Supply Chain Decarbonization," at12:30 p.m. EST onApril 30 . This roundtable with private investors, development banks, and policymakers will unpack the key financial and regulatory barriers holding back clean energy investment and explore investment and policy mechanisms, and partnerships needed to unlock capital at scale in emerging markets.
In addition to
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Aparna Prabhakar , Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer, Energy Management -
Vincent Petit , SVP,Climate and Energy Transition Research - Ruben Llanes, Chief Executive Officer, Digital Grid
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Bill Brewer , Head of Sustainability Business,Americas - Juan Macias, Chief Executive Officer, AlphaStruxure
To schedule an interview with
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