Russia is discussing the creation of special energy zones for the development of artificial intelligence

Special energy zones may appear in Russia to accommodate data processing centers that ensure the operation of artificial intelligence (AI). As the Vedomosti newspaper reported on February 20, the initiative is being discussed by industry associations, companies in the field of AI and the Ministry of Energy.

"When creating a special energy zone for grid organizations, deadlines will be introduced in which they will be required to carry out technological connection, as well as a single tariff for electric energy transmission services. Negotiations are also underway on the possibility of creating specialized guaranteeing suppliers," the article says.

According to Akhmetzhan Makhmutov, adviser to the governor of the Vladimir Region, a large AI cluster in terms of energy consumption is comparable to an entire industrial area or a small city. Existing networks are not ready to instantly allocate 50-100 MW to a single point, and 76% of data centers are concentrated in Moscow, where a shortage of up to 4 GW is predicted. Energy grid companies have already started refusing to connect new data centers in the capital. It can take up to two years to wait for a technical connection permit.

"Currently, the Ministry of Energy estimates the need for data centers for AI until 2030 at the level of 2-2.5 GW...>The consumption of one AI rack in a data center reaches 25 kW and above, which is 3-5 times higher than the capabilities of a standard commercial data center," said Sergey Makhlin, head of the K2TECH Data center.

It is proposed to create special energy zones in energy—deficient regions - Siberia, the Far East, the Volga region and the Urals. The demand for AI capacity by 2030 is estimated at 2-2.5 GW. The Big Data Association supported the initiative, noting that such zones will become points of economic growth and create new jobs. At the same time, experts point to the need for parallel development of data transmission channels and the elaboration of financing mechanisms for network infrastructure.

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Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary of Russian President Vladimir Putin, said on February 13 that modern technologies, including AI, are actively used in the work of the presidential press service. The day before, Peskov compared the cautious attitude towards AI with the reaction to the appearance of the first looms in 18th-century England.

On February 12, Senator Artem Sheikin, Deputy Chairman of the Council for the Development of the Digital Economy at the Federation Council, said that the digitalization of construction and housing services using the MAX messenger and AI technologies would be carried out in stages, depending on the development of the legal framework and efficiency assessment. According to him, making decisions on the widespread use of such technologies will require resolving legal issues, protecting personal data and evaluating real effectiveness for citizens and businesses.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.