Artificial intelligence AI is transforming industries and the infrastructure that powers them. The International Energy Agency IEA notes that electricity in a modern data centre is mainly used for storage 5, networking 5, backup power minimal but essential and cooling. Of these, cooling stands out: depending on efficiency, it can account for anywhere from 7 in hyperscale facilities to over 30 in smaller, less-optimised sites, says Dean Wolson , General Manager: Africa, Lenovo Infrastructure.
As AI workloads drive unprecedented power densities with racks drawing 20-100 kW or more cooling has shifted from a supporting function to a frontline constraint.
In South Africa and much of Africa, the challenge is magnified by high ambient temperatures, an unstable grid and rapid cloud and AI growth. Although the continents per-capita data centre electricity use remains below 1 kWh per person, it is expected to double by 2030 with South Africa leading as a regional hub for hyperscalers and sovereign AI projects.