Leningrad Oblast may become main energy platform for AI data centers

According to information from the online journal «Energiya+», citing the Ministry of Energy, Leningrad Oblast has the largest potential among possible sites in Russia for connecting data centers focused on artificial intelligence technologies. This refers to a possible load of up to 1 gigawatt.

It is expected that the total demand of Russian data centers for AI development by 2030 will grow by about one and a half times. As stated at a meeting of the Federation Council by Deputy Minister of Energy Pyotr Konyushenko, the current capacity of useful data centers in the country is 1.7 gigawatts.

For clarity, a comparison can be made: the electrical power of the widely used VVER-1000 reactor in Russia is about 1 gigawatt. According to forecasts by the Ministry of Energy, the energy consumption of data centers for artificial intelligence needs by 2030 will reach 2–2.5 gigawatts, and will further increase annually by 20%.

In addition to Leningrad Oblast, the agency has identified two more promising zones for placing large data centers:

• Volga Federal District (potential load — 500 MW).
• Ural (potential load — 500 MW).

Also, the ministry is considering a faster option for increasing energy supply — by using already built substations where there is free capacity from 30 to 100 megawatts. To find long-term solutions, including the construction of new capacities and interaction with technology companies, a special working group has been created in the Ministry of Energy.