Google and Microsoft have reportedly consumed 24TWh each on their electricity during 2023, a consumption that is greater than more than 100 countries.
A researcher revealed his recent power consumption study on different big tech companies and countries, revealing the amount of energy spent in 2023.
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Google, Microsoft Outrank Power Consumption of Other Countries
Michael Thomas shared his analysis on X, citing that Google and Microsoft managed to consume the same amount of energy as Azerbaijan last year. Both tech companies have a revenue of around $200 billion to $300 billion as compared to the country's $78.7 billion GDP.
The tech giants also outranked countries like Iceland, the Dominican Republic, Tunisia, and Ghana which each consumed 19 TWh. Countries like Libya and Slovakia consumed slightly more power with 25 TWh and 26 TWh, respectively.
Both Google and Microsoft sit comfortably at the world's most valuable companies. The tech giants are known for their progressive steps in developing AI models, which could further increase their energy consumption in the following years.
Tech Giants Consume Too Much Power, Sparking Environmental Concerns
It is not new that tech companies use massive energy for their operations. However, the increasing power consumption could significantly affect the environmental risks brought by climate change.
The recent study by Thomas proves the insane amount of energy required to power the latest technological advancements. Companies are now invested in building data centers that could power the upcoming generations of AI.
Both Google and Microsoft have pledged to a carbon-free by the end of 2030. Big techs are now pressured to work on their sustainability and to transition to renewable energy to achieve their goals.
Related Article: Sustainable AI: What Tech Companies Need to Achieve Net Zero Goals
