Robots could use as much power as 35M US homes by 2035

Robotics has emerged as a second major demand on global electricity infrastructure, arriving at a moment when power systems are already under strain from AI data centres. Wood Mackenzie's projection of 363 TWh by 2035 is not merely a technical forecast—it reflects structural shifts in labour markets. Developed economies facing persistent labour shortages have no clear alternative to industrial automation, and the research suggests that power constraints themselves may become the limiting factor on adoption rather than economics or technology.

China's dominance in robotics manufacturing and deployment underscores how concentrated the sector is. The country accounts for over 70 percent of annual global industrial robot installations and nearly 90 percent of all humanoid robots currently deployed. China State Grid's commitment of $1 billion in 2026 to procure 8,500 AI-enabled autonomous robots signals that robotics has become critical national infrastructure in the world's largest manufacturing economy. This concentration of deployment and manufacturing capacity means that energy planning in China will have outsized influence on global robotics power demand.

Price deflation in humanoid robots—a 93 percent drop between 2020 and 2025—is accelerating adoption by lowering the economic barrier to entry. The Unitree G1 at $16,000 with an annual electricity cost of $82 is now competitive with human labour in most developed markets, even accounting for power costs. If humanoid robot stock reaches one billion units by 2050, their electricity demand alone would match South Korea's entire 2026 electricity generation, pointing to a potential energy crisis decades ahead unless power infrastructure planning adjusts now.