The bloc is seeking to mitigate the impact of the energy consumption necessary to its goal of tripling data centre capacity over the next five to seven years.

The EU wants to implement a common energy rating scheme for data centres with a capacity of more than 500kW, aimed at increasing transparency around their energy use and supporting their sustainable integration into Europe’s energy system.

The bloc is seeking to mitigate the impact of the energy consumption necessary to its goal of tripling data centre capacity over the next five to seven years as part of its push for digital and AI sovereignty and self-determination.

The ongoing global AI race has caused a surge in the deployment of data centres and associated power consumption. According to the EU, data centres in the bloc are on track to consume 114TWh annually by 2030, amounting to 3pc of its overall electricity demand. In 2024, they accounted for 68TWh.

“In addition to using more energy, an increase of data centres could put extra pressure on electricity grids and the use of natural resources, such as water, and contribute to increased carbon emissions,” the European Commission said yesterday (21 September).

“To limit these impacts, it is essential that data centres are highly energy- and water-efficient and sustainably integrated in the energy system.”

The scheme would will also cover data centres’ contribution to power grids through methods such as the reuse of waste heat or the addition of clean energy generation capacities.

“Sustainable, flexible and well-designed data centres – that can adjust their electricity use to the grid’s conditions – can help lower the overall cost of the electricity system, improve grid stability and integrate more renewable energy,” the Commission said.

The Commission has launched a call for evidence and public consultation on minimum performance standards for data centres operating in Europe, which will run until 14 December.

“Tripling our data centre capacity cannot mean tripling the pressure on our grids, our water and our energy bills. That starts with transparency, rating large data centres depending on their impact on our energy system,” said Teresa Ribera, the Commission’s executive vice-president for clean, just and competitive transition.

“Efficient, flexible, powered by additional clean energy and reusing waste heat – this is how data centres become an asset for the EU’s energy transition.”

The legal proposal establishing the common rating scheme is now subject to a two-month scrutiny period with the European Parliament and the European Council, which can object to it, but not alter it before it enters into force.

“To ensure that the digital transformation truly works for our society, we must address the growing energy demand of data centres. Understanding their energy and resource consumption is the essential first step towards integrating them sustainably into our energy system. Digital sovereignty must go hand-in-hand with energy responsibility,” said Dan Jørgensen, the EU’s commissioner for energy and housing.

The first sustainability labels for individual data centres are expected to be displayed in 2027, according to the Commission.

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