Hitachi Energy CEO Andreas Schierenbeck attends Chongqing Mayor’s International Advisory Council meeting

At the 19th Chongqing Mayor’s International Advisory Council (CMIA) Meeting on Sept. 26, Hitachi Energy’s CEO Andreas Schierenbeck delivered a keynote speech, providing strategic insights into how energy and power technologies can support Chongqing’s development in the artificial intelligence (AI) era.

AI and data centers are driving exponential growth in electricity demand. From cloud computing, machine learning and connected EVs, to smart manufacturing and building, AI applications are already impacting diverse industries and permeating into people’s daily lives.

China is rapidly emerging as a global AI leader due to its dynamic tech sector and strong government support. However, as AI scales rapidly, the data centers underpinning its operations are driving an ever-growing demand for electricity. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global electricity demand from data centers is projected to more than double by 2030, with AI being the primary driver of this growth.

“AI and data centers are reshaping the energy landscape faster than anticipated. The real bottleneck for AI isn’t data or chips—it’s power. The countries that act decisively to modernize and expand their grids will lead the next era of innovation”, said Andreas. “Grid investment is no longer just infrastructure planning—it is technological sovereignty. Those who deliver abundant, reliable electricity at scale will unlock AI’s full potential and shape the future”.

As a global technology leader in electrification, Hitachi Energy’s manufacturing capabilities are at the heart of building a robust grid infrastructure. Among them, the modern transformer factory in Chongqing stands as a strong demonstration of Hitachi Energy’s strategic deployment. Following its relocation to Liangjiang New Area in 2023, the factory has already expanded its capacity by over 30% through continuous investment and upgrades.

Currently, the state-of-the-art transformer factory in Chongqing is playing a critical role not only in meeting domestic market demand, but also in supporting key power projects driving the global energy transition. Its products have been exported to more than 30 overseas markets, including Singapore, Australia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and South Africa.

In conclusion of his speech, Andreas stated that guided by the Purpose of “Inspire the next era of sustainable energy,” Hitachi Energy will continue deepening its strategic presence in Chongqing. He proposed the following measures for Chongqing to embrace the exciting AI era ahead:

• Deploy scalable, AI-driven solutions across power sector operations to help manage complex power systems
• Increase investment in grid infrastructure to feed AI’s massive energy needs
• Strengthen alignment between energy policy and the AI vision
• Expand domestic and international collaborations on AI
• Cultivate a strong AI talent pool