Short answer: Power, not land or capital, now decides where data centers get built. The IEA projects data center electricity use will more than double to about 945 TWh by 2030, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's Queued Up research shows about 2,060 GW of generation and storage waiting to connect to US grids, with a median of over 5 years from request to operation. Leaders who can secure power have become the scarcest data center hire.
Key Takeaways
- 945 TWh: projected global data center electricity use by 2030, up from 415 TWh in 2024 (IEA).
- Nearly half of US electricity demand growth to 2030 comes from data centers (IEA).
- About 2,060 GW of projects wait in US interconnection queues (LBNL, end of 2025).
- Over 5 years: median time from interconnection request to operation (LBNL).
- Only 13% of capacity requested from 2000 to 2020 reached operation by end of 2025 (LBNL).
- Global data center electricity use, 2024: Figure: 415 TWh, about 1.5% of global electricity; Source: IEA
- Projected data center electricity use, 2030: Figure: About 945 TWh; Source: IEA
- US share of global data center electricity use, 2024: Figure: 45%; Source: IEA
- US interconnection queue, end of 2025: Figure: About 2,060 GW (1,312 GW generation, 749 GW storage); Source: LBNL Queued Up 2026
- Median time from request to operation: Figure: Over 5 years; Source: LBNL Queued Up 2026
- Capacity requested 2000 to 2020 that reached operation: Figure: 13%; Source: LBNL Queued Up 2026
What Does a Data Center Power Leader Do?
- Secures grid interconnection and works with utilities on load studies.
- Negotiates power purchase agreements and long-term supply.
- Develops on-site generation, storage and microgrids.
- Manages regulatory and community relationships.
- Shapes site selection with power availability as the first filter.
Which Power Roles Are in Demand?
- Head of Power and Energy: Focus: Strategy and supply for the whole portfolio; Typical background: Utility or independent power producer executive
- VP of Energy Procurement: Focus: PPAs, pricing and risk; Typical background: Energy trading or procurement
- Director of Grid Interconnection: Focus: Load studies and utility coordination; Typical background: Transmission planning or utility engineering
- Head of On-Site Generation: Focus: Gas, storage and microgrids; Typical background: Power plant development
- Regulatory Affairs Lead: Focus: Permits and commission proceedings; Typical background: Utility regulatory or legal
Where Do Power Leaders Come From?
Operators increasingly hire from utilities, independent power producers and energy developers. In 2026, Prime Data Centers appointed the founder of Radial Power as EVP of development and power, one of several moves covered in our 2026 appointments roundup.
How to Assess a Power Executive
- Energized capacity: how many megawatts they brought online, and how fast.
- Utility relationships: which utilities and grid operators they have worked with.
- Deal record: PPAs and supply agreements negotiated.
- On-site options: experience with gas, storage, nuclear partnerships or microgrids.
- Regulatory skill: permits and public utility commission proceedings.
For the full picture on data center hiring, see how data center executive recruiting works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is power the biggest constraint for data centers?
Electricity demand from data centers is set to more than double by 2030, while new generation waits years to connect. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory reports a median of over 5 years from interconnection request to operation.
What does a data center power executive do?
A head of power or energy secures grid interconnection, negotiates power purchase agreements, develops on-site generation and storage, and manages relationships with utilities and regulators.
Where do data center power leaders come from?
Utilities, independent power producers, renewable energy developers, transmission companies and energy-focused investment firms.
How much power will data centers use?
The IEA projects data center electricity use will rise from 415 TWh in 2024 to about 945 TWh by 2030, with the US accounting for the largest share of growth.
