Tech Growth, Grid Strain: Powering the AI Economy

Did you know: ChatGPT fields 1 billion messages a day—and that demand adds up. It uses about 1.059 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity annually, with each search drawing nearly ten times more energy than a Google search. And it’s not alone. The rapid growth of AI across platforms is fueling a global surge in energy use. In Ontario, electricity demand is expected to rise 75% by 2050, driven in part by the energy needs of AI data centres and EV manufacturing.

Data centres are expanding fast—and they’re quietly reshaping Ontario’s energy future. As major tech players ramp up infrastructure across the Toronto region, energy demand is rising sharply. This isn’t just an issue for utilities: it’s a business concern with implications for site selection, operating costs, growth timelines, and competitiveness.

Ontario’s electricity system wasn’t built for the pace of digital growth we’re seeing. Energy planning, permitting, and delivery are struggling to keep up—especially as the province courts new investment and positions itself as a tech and innovation hub.

This session brings together the leaders tasked with solving that tension.

Join industry speakers as we explore what data centre growth means for energy supply, where planning gaps remain, and how businesses can stay ahead of infrastructure constraints before they become barriers to growth.

If your business is using, deploying, or powering AI, you need to know how the Ontario grid can actually deliver. This is your chance to find out.