The European Union announced on Monday, September 21 that the European Commission has proposed a common European rating system for data centers, intended to strengthen transparency about their energy consumption and to promote their sustainable integration into the European energy system.
The Commission indicated that the growth of data centers, which are expected to represent more than 3 % of the EU’s total electricity demand by 2030, is exerting pressure on power grids and on the use of natural resources, such as water, while contributing to the increase in carbon emissions.
The EU aims to triple the capacity of its data centers over the next five to seven years. The new common rating system will apply to individual data centers with a capacity above 500 kW and will aim to guarantee transparent information on the actual use of resources (energy, water) by data centers, take into account the data centers’ contribution to the grid, notably the reuse of waste heat and the addition of clean energy production capacities and provide flexibility.
“At a time when we must preserve our resources, sustainable, flexible and well-designed data centers, capable of adjusting their electricity consumption to grid conditions, can help reduce the overall cost of the electricity system, improve grid stability, and integrate more renewable energy,” reads an EU press release.
And it adds that the first sustainability labels awarded to individual data centers are expected to be displayed in 2027.
