The European Commission is preparing to unveil a new package of measures aimed at reducing the energy consumption of data centres across the bloc, as artificial intelligence drives a surge in electricity demand.
Speaking at a conference in Brussels on Thursday, EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen announced the forthcoming proposal, stating: “I will propose a data centre energy efficiency package.” He did not elaborate on the specifics of the measures or provide a timeline for their implementation.
The initiative reflects growing concern within the EU over the environmental and infrastructural impact of data infrastructure, particularly as demand accelerates due to the proliferation of artificial intelligence systems, cloud computing services, and digital connectivity projects.
According to current estimates, data centres already consume approximately 3% of total electricity within the European Union. This figure is forecast to rise substantially over the coming years as more AI applications come online and as member states increase digitalisation efforts in both public and private sectors.
A Critical Juncture for EU Energy Policy
The Commission’s plan marks a continuation of its broader push for improved energy efficiency and emissions reductions across high-consumption sectors, in line with the European Green Deal and 2030 climate targets. The energy performance of data centres has come under increased scrutiny, particularly in northern and western Europe, where clusters of such facilities have grown around major urban and technological hubs.
While previous policy efforts have concentrated on improving building standards and industrial processes, the proposed package signals a shift towards regulating the digital infrastructure underlying Europe’s economy.
In recent years, several member states, including the Netherlands, Ireland, and Germany, have voiced concern over the strain that data centres place on local electricity grids, often prompting restrictions or temporary moratoria on new projects. This has fuelled calls for a more coherent EU-level strategy to manage energy-intensive digital infrastructure.
AI Demand Driving Power Use
A primary factor behind the EU’s renewed interest in this sector is the sharp growth in AI-related computing. Training large language models and operating general-purpose AI systems requires substantial processing power, often hosted in hyperscale data centres that operate continuously.
This growth trend has been accompanied by concerns over cooling requirements, carbon emissions, and the resilience of electricity supply, particularly during peak demand periods or in regions with limited renewable generation capacity.
While the EU has invested heavily in AI research and seeks to position itself as a global leader in trustworthy AI development, officials have increasingly acknowledged the environmental trade-offs involved in scaling these technologies.
Industry Watchers Await Detail
Commissioner Jørgensen’s brief announcement did not specify whether the proposed measures would take the form of binding regulations, revised performance standards, or incentives for best practice adoption. However, the move is likely to involve collaboration with national regulators, energy suppliers, and large technology firms operating data infrastructure across Europe.
Industry groups, including the European Data Centre Association (EUDCA), have previously advocated for clear and harmonised guidelines, arguing that fragmented national rules create compliance challenges and inefficiencies.
Some operators have voluntarily committed to sustainability targets, including the use of low-carbon electricity sources, advanced cooling technologies, and energy reuse schemes. Nevertheless, analysts suggest that without consistent EU-level standards, efforts may remain uneven and limited in scope.
Alignment with EU Digital and Climate Agendas
The upcoming package is expected to be framed within the context of the EU’s twin digital and green transitions, which seek to promote technological innovation while curbing environmental impacts. It may also complement the Commission’s wider work on the Energy Efficiency Directive and the Digital Decade policy targets.
As data volumes increase and AI systems become more embedded in public services, transport, health care, and industrial operations, ensuring sustainable digital infrastructure has become a strategic concern. The Commission has previously outlined a vision for climate-neutral, highly energy-efficient data centres by 2030, as part of the EU’s Digital Compass initiative.
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