Irina Gorbounova

Irina Gorbounova leads the investments of XCarb™, an innovation fund focused on companies developing breakthrough technologies to accelerate the steel industry’s transition to carbon neutral steelmaking. With around two decades of experience in breakthrough technology investments, impact investing, and expertise in mergers and acquisitions, Irina has been instrumental in driving sustainable development within the steel industry and is recognized as a thought leader in industrial sustainability, energy transition, and steel industry innovation. She holds board and advisory positions at several leading companies in clean energy and decarbonization technology, including Boston Metal, LanzaTech, H2Pro, Breakthrough Energy, and Form Energy Inc. Additionally, she is a member of the Leadership council of the Breakthrough Energy Catalyst and member of GCV Global Industry Sustainability Council. Her philanthropic efforts include serving on the Board of Directors at the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children and acting as an Impact Campaigner for Women in Renewable Energy, a global network of professional women in the renewable energy industry.Irina is passionate about a zero-carbon future and brings a forward-thinking perspective on how to achieve net zero goals.

Session Overview

Thursday, 6 November

10:00

Decarbonisation Conference Room B 10:00 - 10:40

AI and energy demand: aligning consumption growth with decarbonisation pathways

The rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the global electricity market, with projections pointing to a 165% rise in data centre power demand by 2030. This surge is being led by ‘hyperscalers’ – large tech companies building and operating data-intensive cloud infrastructure – whose energy requirements are stretching traditional planning models and grid capacity. While AI is contributing to rising electricity demand, it also offers critical solutions to help manage it - enabling more accurate load forecasting, real-time grid optimisation, and smarter energy dispatch. Aligning rapid digital growth with decarbonisation goals will require targeted policy interventions, strategic investment in resilient infrastructure, and a coordinated approach to grid modernisation, as utilities and power companies work to adopt demand-side management tools and invest in cutting-edge facilities. To maintain momentum toward a sustainable future, the energy and technology sectors must collaborate closely to ensure that AI drives an era of resilience, energy security and inclusive growth.

Attendee insights:

Learn how hyperscalers, utilities and energy developers are using AI to manage rising electricity demand, strengthen grid resilience and advance decarbonisation goals.