Siemens Says Data Centers Need New Energy Source

Executive cautions that green options can't meet AI's power demands

- Nina Kienle

There isn't enough green energy around the world to power data centers, and operators need to look elsewhere for a solution to the artificial intelligence energy-consumption conundrum, the head of Siemens's Smart Infrastructure division said.

Electrical-equipment makers have been among the early beneficiaries of a boom in data-center construction, as companies snap up gear such as power transformers, generators and switchboards to build more facilities. This gives the likes of Siemens's Smart Infrastructure division insight into the challenges facing data-center companies as they race to satisfy AI's growing computing needs.

Energy sourcing is one of the main factors holding back the data-center market, and it needs to be addressed, Siemens Smart Infrastructure Chief Executive Matthias Rebellius said in an interview.