BCG: flexible grid connections can cut AI data centre power wait to 2-4 years

AI data centres could cut electricity connection waiting times from 5-10 years to 2-4 years by accepting flexible grid connections and using on-site generation and storage, according to a Boston Consulting Group report. For a modelled 150-MW AI inference data centre in Northwest Europe, connecting three years earlier could yield about $1.28 billion in additional profit, though off-grid setups could raise annual power costs by 70-230%.

• Flexible access cuts time to power from 5-10 years to 2-4 years
• Global data centre power demand to reach ~210 GW by 2030 from 84 GW in 2025
• Earlier connection of a 150-MW data centre adds ~$1.28 billion in profit
• Off-grid power raises annual supply costs by 70-230%