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Design and efficiency improvements

A May 2024 Goldman Sachs outlook predicts a 160 % rise in power demand from AI implementations, underscoring the need for sustainable energy strategies. Energy-intensive GPUs and generative AI workloads are pushing electricity consumption to new heights, forcing leaders to balance environmental goals with cost efficiency.

“ Innovative fibre-based platforms are emerging to help address these challenges. Bold strategies will redefine data centre design, focusing on scalability, efficiency, and sustainability,” says Ehab Kanary, Vice President of Enterprise MEA, CommScope.

The data centre industry is set to grow at a CAGR of 15 %-25% by 2032, reaching 200GW in supply capacity. This expansion is driven by increasing AI demand and the growing need for digital services by individuals, enterprises and governmental entities.

Supply is expected to rise globally, with US capacity doubling, while Europe, Asia, and Middle East are expected to experience threefold to fourfold growth. Factors such as sustainable energy availability and government support for infrastructure development will play a crucial role.

This rapid growth raises concerns about the carbon footprint and the operational efficiency of the industry.

Global electricity consumption of data centres in 2022 was an estimated 460 terawatt-hours, TWh, and it could reach more than 1000 TWh in 2026. Top trends include the adoption of renewable energy sources, advanced cooling technologies, and automation to optimise operations.

Data centres are innovating to manage energy consumption through advanced cooling systems like liquid cooling and immersion, optimising energy use for intensive workloads. AI-driven real-time monitoring platforms automate power allocation, improving efficiency.

Modular, scalable designs align power distribution with demand, addressing labour shortages and construction costs. Many facilities are also shifting to renewable energy sources or integrating on-site power generation, reducing grid dependency.

The energy mix is enhanced via the integration of renewable energy sources like solar, wind and hydro-electric power. These innovations enhance sustainability and drive energy efficiency within data centre infrastructure.

NetApp contributes by offering AFF A-Series and ASA All-flash SAN storage, which consolidates workloads and reduces energy demand. Tools like the BlueXP Sustainability Dashboard empowers businesses to monitor and optimise energy efficiency.

“ Additionally, NetApp ' s sustainability-focused packaging and e-waste management further support

Ehab Kanary, Vice President of Enterprise MEA, CommScope

Joao Sousa, Senior Managing Director, FTI Consulting

Global data centre electricity usage is projected to double between 2022 and 2026, with annual increases exceeding 20 %.

“ Companies are also integrating energy-efficient hardware and virtualisation strategies to manage power consumption, ensuring sustainability aligns with scalability,” says Walid Issa, Senior Manager, PreSales and Solutions Engineer, Middle East and Africa, NetApp.

Global data centre electricity usage is projected to double between 2022 and 2026, with annual increases exceeding 20 %.

In the UAE, the data centre market is experiencing significant growth, expected to reach $ 2.65 billion by 2029 with a 10 % CAGR. This expansion is fuelled by digital transformation initiatives and AI workloads, reducing environmental impact across the data lifecycle,” says NetApp’ s Issa.

Data centres are implementing a range of sustainable practices and integrating renewable energy to reduce their environmental impact. Key strategies include hybrid power models and off-grid capabilities, workload consolidation to minimise server count, and AI-driven power optimisation.

“ They are also addressing the entire power chain, from CPUs and storage to cooling systems, while incorporating energy-efficient hardware such as

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