In 2026, the global energy system is entering a more complex and pragmatic phase. Rapid expansion of artificial intelligence is fundamentally reshaping electricity demand, placing data centers at the center of energy system planning and accelerating demand for reliable, scalable, and low-carbon power.

According to the World Economic Forum, electricity availability has become the primary constraint for data center development, overtaking traditional factors such as network connectivity. Access to stable, affordable, and clean power is now a decisive factor in data center site selection, giving regions with strong power infrastructure and renewable integration capabilities a structural advantage in attracting AI investment.

S&P Global notes that AI-driven growth in data center electricity demand will continue to test grid capacity and system flexibility in 2026. In high-growth scenarios, global data center power demand is expected to grow by 17% in 2026, with long-term demand potentially exceeding 2,200 TWh by 2030. Data centers are expected to remain leading purchasers of clean electricity to meet both operational needs and climate commitments.

Rystad Energy highlights that accelerating data center deployment is intensifying competition for grid capacity and increasing connection delays. As power constraints become more pronounced, solutions such as battery energy storage, microgrids, and other flexible power resources are expected to see rapid growth, with battery storage emerging as one of the fastest-expanding segments of the energy sector.

Grid modernization is becoming a critical enabler of this transition. In many major economies, grid investment has lagged behind electrification and digitalization trends, creating a bottleneck for both AI expansion and clean energy integration. Upgrading existing transmission and distribution infrastructure is increasingly viewed as the most practical near-term solution to support rising power demand.

Overall, the 2026 energy transition is shifting toward a quality-focused model. Rather than emphasizing capacity growth alone, markets are prioritizing power system reliability, flexibility, and integration capability, positioning high-quality renewables, storage, and grid infrastructure as core foundations for the next stage of digital and economic growth.

source: China Petroleum Network