Data Centres
The expansion of digital services is driving rapid growth in data centres and electricity demand worldwide. From cloud computing and data storage to artificial intelligence, data centres are becoming critical infrastructure for modern economies. Without efficiency improvements, this growth risks locking in high energy use, emissions, and pressure on power systems.
Efficient and sustainable data centres are critical to:
- Support the growth of digital services and economies
- Limit electricity demand growth and peak loads
- Reduce emissions associated with digital infrastructure
- Minimise environmental impacts, including water use
The Energy Efficiency Opportunity
Data centres consume around 2% of global electricity
Globally, data centres already account for approximately 2% of total electricity consumption, with demand expected to rise significantly by 2030.
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Digital activities drive a much larger energy footprint
Internet-related activities are estimated to consume up to 7% of global electricity, reflecting the rapid growth of digital services.
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Emissions are largely linked to electricity use
The data centre sector emits an estimated 200–250 MtCO₂e annually, with around 90% of emissions driven by energy consumption.
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Workloads are growing far faster than demand
Between 2015 and 2021, data centre workloads increased by around 260%, while global data volumes continue to grow at roughly 20% per year, driven by cloud services, AI, and digitalisation.
Indicative figures based on IEA and U4E analysis of global data centre energy use and market trends.
Featured Resources
Explore selected U4E resources and related initiatives addressing energy efficiency and sustainability in data centres:
