Authored by Zachary Skidmore via Data Centre Dynamics,
The European Commission (EC) has submitted a proposal to require data centers across Europe to disclose their energy and water efficiency metrics.
The European Union (EU) aims to triple its data center capacity over the next five to seven years.
This has raised concerns about the build-out's potential impact on the power grid and natural resource use.
The proposed rules would create a common rating scheme covering data centers with a capacity exceeding 500kW. The scheme would also cover data centers' support for grid balancing services, contributions to waste heat recovery, and use of renewable energy generation.
In support of the proposal, the EC has also launched a call for evidence and public consultation on minimum performance standards for data centers in Europe. The consultation will close in December.
The proposal is now subject to a two-month scrutiny period by the European Parliament and the Council before entering into force. This gives co-legislators the opportunity to object to the proposal, but not to propose amendments.
The first ratings from the scheme are expected sometime in 2027.
A first review is expected to follow by the end of 2028.
European officials have launched several projects to support the bloc's energy system in meeting the demands from the data center sector. In June,
