EU data centre capacity is expected to more than double in the coming years, reaching 28 gigawatts by 2030 from 12 GW ​last year. That expansion will lift their share of EU electricity consumption ​beyond the current 2.5%.

The European Commission said it would develop minimum ⁠performance standards for both new and existing data centres, with a “needs assessment” ​due by 2027.

Power hungry

Data centres underpin digital services and are driving the surge ​in computing and AI. But their heavy energy use risks slowing Europe’s clean energy transition - if fossil fuel plants are kept running longer or new ones are built to meet demand - ​and could push up power costs as grids come under strain.

“If not ​tackled at the EU level now, these challenges could grow considerably and become harder to ‌solve in ⁠the coming years, as the energy consumption of the sector is expected to increase further,” the Commission said.

Data centres are expected to drive 20% of growth in electricity demand in advanced economies by 2030, according to the International Energy ​Agency.

The EU is ​also working on ⁠a sustainability label for data centres, covering criteria including water use and clean energy supply, which large facilities would have to make public.

That ​proposal, expected on Wednesday, has been delayed. Officials told Reuters the Commission ​is ⁠still debating issues, including how to assess data centres powered by nuclear energy. A Commission spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The plans are part of a broader ⁠EU tech ​package aimed at boosting domestic cloud and ​AI capacity and reducing reliance on Big Tech. Other measures include using generative AI to speed up permitting for new energy projects ​and funding AI tools to help manage Europe’s power grid.