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Asia's AI boom relies on coal power amid clean energy gap

Asia's rapid expansion of AI infrastructure is heavily reliant on coal power due to its cost-effectiveness and reliability compared to renewable sources. While solar and wind power have advanced, they cannot yet meet the constant, high energy demands of AI data centers. This reliance on coal raises environmental concerns, with local residents expressing worries about the strain on existing utilities. AI

IMPACT The reliance on coal for AI infrastructure highlights a significant challenge in scaling AI sustainably, potentially increasing energy costs and environmental impact.

RANK_REASON Article discusses the environmental impact and energy sources for AI infrastructure in Asia, rather than a specific AI release or product.

Read on SCMP — Tech →

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Asia's AI boom relies on coal power amid clean energy gap

COVERAGE [1]

  1. SCMP — Tech TIER_1 English(EN) · Biman Mukherji ·

    Asia’s AI boom has a dirty secret: the coal that powers it

    Asia sits atop vast amounts of coal, nearly three-fifths of the world’s known reserves by some estimates. Cheaper and more reliable than imported oil and gas, and far less vulnerable to disruptions caused by foreign wars, coal is also dirty, polluting – and the region’s No 1 “sto…