AI Energy Crisis 2026: Data Center Power Consumption Surges, How Tech Giants Tackle Energy Challenges

In 2026, global electricity consumption by AI data centers is projected to exceed 500 TWh, equivalent to the annual electricity usage of France. Microsoft, Google, and Amazon have announced nuclear power purchase agreements, and TerraPower's small modular reactors, backed by Bill Gates, have been approved for deployment. Liquid cooling and immersion cooling become standard in data centers. This article analyzes the scale of the AI energy crisis, tech companies' responses, and the profound impact on the power industry and clean energy investments.