At a briefing in Brussels on Thursday, EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen stated that the EU plans to introduce an Energy‑Saving Package for data centres to reduce their energy usage. He promised to present a “data centre energy efficiency package,” but he gave no specifics or timeframe.
Concern over the effects of data infrastructure on the environment and electricity systems is rising, which is why the idea was introduced. Data centres use around 3% of the energy produced in the EU; this percentage is predicted to increase dramatically as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital networking initiatives proliferate.
The programme is part of the Commission’s continuous plan to address energy use in high-demand industries. The new package signals a move toward the digital backbone of Europe’s economy, whereas previous initiatives have concentrated on buildings and industrial processes.
AI Growth Strains Energy Systems
The initiative’s primary motivator is the dramatic rise in power usage associated with AI. Large-scale language model training and AI system operation demand enormous computing resources, which are frequently housed in hyperscale data centres that are open 24/7. These installations have also raised concerns over high cooling requirements, carbon emissions, and the reliability of the electrical grid, particularly in regions with limited capability for renewable energy.
The strain these centres put on the domestic power supply has alarmed several EU members, notably Germany, the Netherlands, and Ireland. A single EU-level policy is even more necessary now that several nations have responded by placing interim moratoria or bans on new developments in data centres.
The forthcoming package aligns with broader EU goals, such as the 2030 climate targets and the European Green Deal. It is anticipated to support initiatives within the Digital Decade agenda and the Energy Efficiency Directive.
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Awaiting Specifics and Industry Response
Whether the forthcoming steps will include voluntary best-practice frameworks, updated efficiency requirements, or mandated legislation was not made clear by Commissioner Jørgensen. Nonetheless, the strategy is expected to entail collaboration with national regulators, energy suppliers, and IT companies operating across Europe.
The European Data Centre Association and other stakeholders have previously advocated replacing disjointed national policies with uniform EU-wide regulations. Although some businesses have already taken action, such as adopting energy reuse, investing in sophisticated cooling, or utilising low-carbon energy, economists caution that these voluntary measures may not be enough without consistent, legally enforceable EU rules. The EU plans to introduce an Energy‑Saving Package for data centres in its larger climate and digital infrastructure strategy.
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