Data centers consume significant electricity to store unused digital files.
Every photo, email and forgotten download stored in the cloud lives somewhere physical. Most of the time, it’s in a data center that runs around the clock, drawing power and emitting greenhouse gases.
A study warns that data centers may drive electricity bills higher in some US states. Increases could exceed 50 percent by 2030 due to growing demand.
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Permits for 11 natural gas-powered data centers across the United States project annual greenhouse gas emissions exceeding 129 million tons—more than Morocco released in 2024. Linked to AI companies OpenAI, Meta, Microsoft, and xAI, these facilities underscore the fossil fuel reliance in the data center boom fueling AI expansion, according to a WIRED review of air permit documents.
Four new major data centres in Cape Town are set to consume the equivalent of 34% of the city's current maximum electricity demand, raising sustainability concerns. Civil society groups have objected to Equinix's proposals over lacks in information on water, emissions and diesel generators. The city and Equinix responded that impacts are manageable.
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Plans for a large data center complex in rural Utah have sparked public opposition due to concerns about energy use, water consumption and impacts on the Great Salt Lake.