With the global thirst for energy expected to double by 2050 (driven by AI, EVs, and data centers), experts believe renewable energy is going to take center stage in helping to meet those demands.

Facing historic challenges in both the demand for energy as well as top-down commitments to reducing energy pollution, utilities recognize that renewable sources are their best bet for slaking those energy cravings without adding to environmental woes. In fact, some experts believe the renewable energy market could triple in size before this decade is out.

The rapid growth in demand is unprecedented, says Rebecca Kujawa, CEO of NextEra Energy Resources. “There is no escaping the fact that these are very large numbers and numbers that I don’t think any utility across the industry has seen before.”

While EVs have been blamed for much of this demand, recent declines in EV sales have taken a bite out of those projections. What isn’t up for debate, however, is the anticipated needs of data centers, particularly as they answer the call of AI systems exploding across the planet.

Climate change is also expected to drive historic growth in the demand for cooling services, particularly now that historic heat waves are becoming the rule versus the exception.