Industry leaders warn of rising energy needs from data centers and decarbonization efforts, straining infrastructure and supply security.
European power demand is surging due to data centers and industrial electrification, straining energy systems already pressured by decarbonization and geopolitical risks. Industry leaders at the Power Summit 2026 highlighted the need for secure, independent supply chains and resilient infrastructure to counter hybrid threats and ensure competitiveness.
The continent’s energy transition faces dual challenges: meeting rising consumption while accelerating digitalization and reducing emissions. Prior forecasts underestimated demand growth, with data centers alone projected to account for up to 15% of EU electricity use by 2030, according to sector estimates.
Policymakers and executives stressed the urgency of modernizing grids and diversifying energy sources to avoid bottlenecks. Failure to act could undermine Europe’s industrial base and climate goals, they warned.