Google’s AI buildout drove 37% increase in electricity use in 2025
Google reported a 37% increase in electricity consumption in 2025, the largest in its history, driven by its AI data center buildout. Despite this, the company claims a 2% reduction in operational carbon emissions due to substantial clean energy purchases. However, supply chain emissions caused Google's overall ambition-based emissions to rise by 18% year-over-year.
Google's latest sustainability report reveals a significant 37% surge in its annual electricity consumption for 2025, marking the largest increase in the company's history. This rise is primarily attributed to the ongoing expansion of its AI data center infrastructure, contributing to a total electricity usage increase of over 250% since 2019.
Despite the substantial increase in power demand, Google reported a 2% reduction in its operational carbon emissions over the same period, crediting its continued investment in and purchase of clean energy. The company has matched 100% of its electricity consumption with renewable energy purchases globally for nine consecutive years and is now focusing on a more granular 24/7 carbon-free energy ambition.
However, the report also highlighted a 25% increase in supply chain emissions, mainly from Asia-Pacific operations, leading to an overall 18% rise in Google's total ambition-based emissions between 2024 and 2025. Michael Thomas, CEO of Cleanview, notes Google's broad investment strategy, which, despite significant clean energy efforts, also includes considerations for natural gas generation. Thomas pointed to a $40 billion investment in Texas data centers that could potentially involve a 933-megawatt natural gas power plant, though Google has not confirmed drawing power from it.