The European Union's regulatory arm has proposed rules that would force data center operators to disclose their energy and water use through a common rating system.
The Commission cited stats from the International Energy Agency indicating that data centers consumed 68 TWh of electricity in the EU in 2024.
As things stand, the rating scheme won't need data centers to disclose their total power use or limit how much power or water they soak up.
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The Commission has opened a two-month consultation period for the European Parliament and Council to scrutinize the rules before they come into force.
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The bloc has proposed a sustainability labeling system ahead of bringing in minimum data center performance standards.
The European Union's regulatory arm has proposed rules that would force data center operators to disclose their energy and water use through a common rating system. The European Commission says this will cover data centers with a capacity above 500 kW.
The Commission cited stats from the International Energy Agency indicating that data centers consumed 68 TWh of electricity in the EU in 2024.
The Commission said in a press release that, to limit the impact of data centers on electricity and natural resources, it's essential that they're "highly energy- and water-efficient and sustainably integrated in the energy system."
As things stand, the rating scheme won't need data centers to disclose their total power use or limit how much power or water they soak up.
If all goes to plan, data centers are expected to start publishing the sustainability labels next year.
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