EU data centres and cloud solutions in the context of the so-called energy transition and the Green Deal
21.1.2020
Priority question for written answer P-000288/2020
to the Commission
Rule 138
Christine Anderson (ID)
In the context of digitalisation, data sovereignty and data security are of particular importance, and data centres can be described as the steelworks of the future. Both the energy generation and the lack of storage capacity of wind and solar power plants are causing a steady rise in electricity prices.
- 1.Does the Commission consider that the decreasing profitability of data centres and the resultant migration to countries with significantly lower electricity costs can be countered, especially if political action which leads to further electricity price rises is rendered necessary by the Green Deal and the so-called energy transition?
- 2.Much of the data of people living in the EU is stored and managed in data centres belonging to major players in the field of search engines, online trade and social media outside the EU. By what means could the Commission promote the recovery of data sovereignty by moving the data to the EU?
- 3.To what extent can the Commission continue to support the so-called energy transition and the Green Deal if rising energy prices push people to the brink of being able to pay and beyond?
Supporters[1]
- [1] This question is supported by Members other than the author: Markus Buchheit (ID), Nicolaus Fest (ID)
Last updated: 25 September 2020