Wood Mackenzie: Orbital Data Centres Cost Three Times More Than Terrestrial Alternatives as Global Power Demand Heads for 3,700 TWh (opens original article in a new tab)

Wood Mackenzie reports that orbital data centres cost three times more than terrestrial alternatives, with global power demand for data centres set to rise sharply, driving exploration of space-based solutions despite high costs.

• Global data centre power demand is forecast to reach 3,700 TWh by 2040, a 703% increase from 2026 levels.
• Orbital data centres cost three times more than terrestrial alternatives, with a 1 GW orbital centre estimated at $170 billion.
• Wood Mackenzie notes that orbital data centres remain a long-term proposition due to high costs and current focus on terrestrial expansion.