The information and communication technology (ICT) sector is one of the fastest-growing sectors in Europe and globally. In 2024, data centers in the EU consumed 68 TWh of electricity; this consumption is projected to rise to 114 TWh by 2030, accounting for 3.2% of the Union's electricity demand.

Data centers are essential to Europe's digital future, as increasing computing capacity within the EU will strengthen Europe's technological independence and digital sovereignty.

For this reason, the EU aims to triple data center capacity over the next five to seven years. However, this growth will entail higher energy consumption, place additional strain on electricity grids and natural resources—such as water—and contribute to increased carbon emissions. To mitigate these impacts, it is crucial that data centers be highly energy- and water-efficient and sustainably integrated into the energy system.

These future objectives stem from the package of measures on European technological sovereignty presented by the Commission on June 3, 2026, which also includes plans to develop Europe's cloud and AI capabilities. Indeed, the proposed measures include streamlining the conditions for deploying data centers across the EU—with a particular focus on highly sustainable and innovative facilities—at the scale required for the twin green and digital transition.

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