Belgian data centres, networks of computers for storage and processing of data, consumed 3.2 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity last year, accounting for 4% of the nation’s total electricity consumption, surpassing the European average of 2%, according to a report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) cited by L’Echo.
The report predicts that consumption will triple in the next decade, with data centres expected to account for 10% of Belgium’s electricity use by 2035.
Under a scenario featuring explosive growth in artificial intelligence (AI), data centre consumption could reach 15.5 TWh by 2035, nearly matching the 15 TWh annual production of Belgium’s Doel 4 and Tihange 3 nuclear reactors.
In ten years, one or two nuclear reactors may be solely needed to power data centres within the country.
By 2035, total electricity demand in Belgium is projected to increase to between 115 and 140 TWh. Even under moderate growth scenarios, data centres are likely to represent 10% of total consumption.
Google remains the leader in data infrastructure in Belgium, but Microsoft is expected to challenge this position shortly, with three data centres currently under construction.
