EU, energy standards for data centers - Amid concerns about increasing energy use
The European Union is to develop minimum energy efficiency standards for data centres, as concerns grow about their rapidly increasing energy use. The capacity of EU data centres is expected to double in the coming years, reaching 28 gigawatts by 2030 from 12 gigawatts last year. This expansion will increase their share of EU electricity consumption beyond the current 2.5%.
The European Commission said it would develop minimum performance standards for both new and existing data centers, with a "needs assessment" to be completed by 2027.
Data centers support digital services and are fueling the growth of computing and artificial intelligence. But their large energy use risks slowing Europe's clean energy transition - if fossil fuel power plants are kept running longer or new ones are built to meet demand - and could drive up energy costs as grids come under pressure.
"If not addressed at EU level now, these challenges could grow significantly and become more difficult to resolve in the coming years, as energy consumption in the sector is expected to increase further," the Commission said.
Data centers are expected to drive 20% of the growth in electricity demand in advanced economies by 2030, according to the International Energy Agency.
The EU is also working on a sustainability label for data centers, covering criteria including water use and clean energy supply, which large facilities will have to make public.
The plans are part of a broader EU technology package aimed at boosting domestic cloud and artificial intelligence capacity and reducing reliance on big tech companies. Other measures include using generative artificial intelligence to speed up permits for new energy projects and funding artificial intelligence tools to help manage Europe's electricity grid.
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