S&P Global’s “Look Forward: Data Center Frontiers” Explores the Transformative Impact of the AI-Driven Data Center Boom

NEW YORK (December 2, 2025) – S&P Global today released comprehensive research examining how the global data center boom is reshaping economic growth, geopolitical dynamics, and infrastructure development as nations compete for AI dominance.

Look Forward: Data Center Frontiers is a multifaceted analysis of how data center investments have become a critical driver of economic transformation, extending beyond physical construction to encompass broader high-tech infrastructure development. AI-powered demand is creating unprecedented opportunities and significant challenges across multiple sectors.

Themes explored include:

• Power infrastructure is a critical bottleneck: US grid-based electricity consumption is expected to surge 17% by 2030, potentially outpacing grid capacity and prompting innovative customer-sited energy solutions.
• AI race between the U.S. and China is intensifying: The US and China collectively account for more than 60% of global data center power, with the EU, Middle East, and Asia-Pacific implementing strategic policies for domestic AI infrastructure and data sovereignty.
• Rapid industry growth poses environmental challenges: Despite efficiency improvements, 43% of global data centers face high water stress and power demand is projected to nearly double by 2030.
• Risks emerge with unprecedented investment: As transactions reached $450 billion over the past five years and deal sizes increased, potential risks include overbuilding, rolloverrisk, obsolescence, and concentrated financing among few large firms.
• Quantum computing is the next frontier: Fault-tolerant quantum computing is anticipated as early as 2028, driving complex infrastructure requirements for future data center environments.

Look Forward: Data Center Frontiers is the latest edition of the S&P Global Look Forward research series, special reports that offer a deep dive into the most important themes, trends and topics transforming the global economy.

The S&P Global Look Forward Council brings together leading experts from across the organization to deliver research that illuminates long-term trends and transformative market shifts. Covering areas from capital and commodity markets to energy and sustainability, the council provides the forward-looking intelligence S&P Global clients need to navigate uncertainty and make confident, informed decisions.

Media Contact:
Orla O'Brien 
S&P Global
857-407-8559
orla.obrien@spglobal.com

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