Consumption of water resources by data centres

22.10.2024

Question for written answer  E-002228/2024
to the Commission
Rule 144
César Luena (S&D)

Article 12 EED[1] establishes an obligation for Member States to require data centres to publish information on their energy performance and sustainability, including water consumption (Annex VII), and mandates the Commission to set up a Union-wide database containing such information.

The database is ready and the energy parameters are defined, but there is no detailed section on water consumption. A recent study[2] (2023) estimated that data centres used for AI could account for up to 6 600 million cubic metres in water consumption in 2027.

• 1.What measures is the Commission considering to address the consumption of water resources by data centres, including possible measures under the EU Water Resilience Strategy?
• 2.Are companies obliged to report on the water consumption of data centres?
• 3.How can the Commission oblige data centre owners and operators to reduce their water consumption?

Submitted: 22.10.2024

• [1] Recast Energy Efficiency Directive (EED)
• [2] https://arxiv.org/abs/2304.03271