● Covered by 2 sources · 2 reportsMedium impact1 negative1 neutral
EU Proposes Mandatory Energy and Water Use Disclosure for Data Centers
Key points
- EU proposes mandatory disclosure for data center energy and water use.
- Applies to data centers with capacity above 500 kW.
- Disclosure system will inform future minimum performance standards.
- Consultation period open for two months before rules come into force.
- Lighthouse Report study found most European data centers do not publicly disclose electricity and water consumption.
- Less than a quarter of larger data centers in the Netherlands publish electricity and drinking water usage.
- Researchers spent a year trying to obtain data on data centers’ environmental impact.
- The European Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) obliges data centers to report data.
- The EED has been in effect for three years.
- Dutch Datacenter Association (DDA) reported 186 commercial data centers with 500 kW or more in the Netherlands.
- Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) has data on 104 data centers.
New Disclosure Requirements
The European Commission has proposed new regulations that will mandate data center operators to disclose their energy and water usage. This requirement applies to data centers with a capacity exceeding 500 kW and will utilize a common rating system. The goal is to provide transparency regarding the environmental footprint of these facilities.
Addressing Growth and Resource Strain
The EU plans to triple its data center capacity by 2030 to enhance digital sovereignty. This expansion is projected to increase electricity consumption by data centers from 68 TWh in 2024 to 114 TWh by 2030, accounting for over three percent of the bloc's total electricity use. The Commission acknowledges that this growth could strain power grids and natural resources like water, as well as increase carbon emissions.
The new rules are intended to ensure data centers are energy- and water-efficient and integrated sustainably into the energy system, mitigating the environmental impact of this anticipated growth.
Details of Disclosure
While the rating scheme does not currently limit total power or water consumption, it requires operators to disclose how their water use relates to local water stress levels. Data centers will also need to report on contributions to the local energy ecosystem, such as repurposing waste heat. This information will be crucial for future regulatory actions.
Path to Minimum Standards
The proposed disclosure system is seen as a precursor to establishing minimum performance standards for data centers across the EU. This system is comparable to existing energy labeling for appliances and cars, providing a standardized way to assess sustainability. The Commission has initiated a two-month consultation period for the European Parliament and Council to review the rules.
Implementation Timeline
If approved following the consultation, data centers are expected to begin publishing these sustainability labels starting next year. This marks a significant step towards greater environmental accountability within the EU's digital infrastructure sector.
Updates
- Lighthouse Report study found most European data centers do not publicly disclose electricity and water consumption.
- Less than a quarter of larger data centers in the Netherlands publish electricity and drinking water usage.
- Researchers spent a year trying to obtain data on data centers’ environmental impact.
- The European Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) obliges data centers to report data.
- The EED has been in effect for three years.
- Dutch Datacenter Association (DDA) reported 186 commercial data centers with 500 kW or more in the Netherlands.
- Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) has data on 104 data centers.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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How outlets covered it
A study by Lighthouse Report found most European data centers, including those in the Netherlands, are not publicly disclosing their electricity and water consumption, despite a three-year-old EU directive requiring them to do so. This lack of transparency hinders understanding and addressing the significant environmental impact of data centers, which are rapidly increasing their energy and water usage.
The European Union has proposed new rules requiring data centers with over 500 kW capacity to disclose their energy and water consumption through a common rating system. This initiative aims to manage the environmental impact of projected data center growth, which is expected to triple by 2030, and will inform future minimum performance standards.