Data Center Power Challenges Are Reshaping Enterprise IT
As AI continues to grow, powering enterprise data centers is becoming more difficult than building them. The problem is no longer just about space or servers — it’s about how to deliver and manage much larger amounts of power in a smart, safe, and efficient way.
For hyperscalers like AWS or Google, the issue is finding enough power at all — sometimes even considering building dedicated power plants. But for most enterprises, the challenge is more about managing extreme power density inside racks and rooms that weren’t designed for it.
Why Power Use Is Rising Fast
Today’s racks can draw up to 1 megawatt — compared to just 150 kW a few years ago. This spike is driven by three key factors:
- CPUs are more power-hungry, growing from 200W to 500W+.
- AI workloads rely on GPUs, with multiple accelerators in each server, each using close to 1 kW.
- Tight integration and higher density reduce latency, which is critical for AI training.
AI models need constant, high-speed data movement between chips. That’s why components are packed tightly, which raises both power and cooling demands.
New Rack Designs and Power Layouts
To handle the extra load, some companies are moving power systems out of the racks themselves. Instead, they use external power units that feed several racks at once. This frees up space, supports denser compute, and reduces delays between components.
But managing this setup isn’t easy. Most enterprise data centers were built around far lower power needs, and there are no standard solutions yet for 1 MW racks. Every setup is a custom job, often pushing the limits of current designs.
Skills Are Becoming a Bottleneck
Many IT staff were trained for traditional setups — low-voltage, simpler equipment. But with these new demands, more advanced electrical knowledge is now required. In some cases, technicians may even need electrician-level certifications to safely install and maintain systems.
There’s a clear skills gap: most current certifications don’t go far enough for today’s power requirements, and trained professionals are in short supply.
What Needs to Change
To keep up, the industry needs to adapt in several ways:
- IT teams must level up their skills, especially in power and safety.
- Vendors should simplify infrastructure, making it easier to manage and scale.
- Automation tools need to handle more tasks, reducing pressure on staff.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer yet. But smarter designs, better training, and improved tools can help data centers handle the growing demands of AI and high-density compute.
Power Is Now a Core Strategy
Power is no longer just a background concern — it’s a core part of data center planning. Companies that ignore it risk hitting limits fast. But those that address power early — from design to staffing — will be better prepared for what’s coming next.