Power shortages could slow AI data center expansion

AI adoption is concentrating compute into high-density GPU clusters that significantly increase electricity demand and heat, driving data center operators to redesign campuses, coordinate with utilities, and manage long equipment lead times. The report highlights power availability, transmission, transformers, switchgear, and GPU supply as key constraints that affect where and how quickly new AI capacity can be deployed, with the U.S. holding the largest share of capacity, Europe facing the highest infrastructure stress, and Asia-Pacific expanding with comparatively lower stress.