The tech giants’ energy use, both at 24 terawatt-hours (TWh), surpasses that of Jordan, which has a population of 11 million and consumes 20 TWh, and Ghana, with 34 million people using 19 TWh.
This comparison highlights the immense energy demands of these companies, driven by their vast data centers, cloud services, and global operations. For perspective, the combined electricity use of Google and Microsoft matches that of Serbia and Ireland, each consuming around 31 TWh, despite these countries having populations of 7 million and 5 million, respectively.
These figures raise questions about the sustainability and environmental impact of the tech industry’s rapid expansion. While both companies have made strides in renewable energy investments and carbon reduction goals, the sheer scale of their energy consumption remains a topic of global discussion.
In contrast, other tech giants like Meta and Apple have significantly lower electricity usage, with Meta consuming 12 TWh and Apple just 2 TWh, underscoring the varying energy needs within the industry.
The data serves as a stark reminder of the growing energy footprint of the digital economy, prompting further debate on how to balance technological growth with environmental responsibility.