- Data centers will get a label, just like your fridge or dishwasher
- Energy and water consumption must be reported by sites with a power demand of 500 kW or more
- The EC also wants to know how resources are being balanced in relation to local strains
The European Commission has proposed a new rating scheme for data centers to increase transparency around metrics such as energy efficiency and water consumption.
The forthcoming changes are part of the Data Center Energy Efficiency Package, which establishes a common EU‑wide rating system similar to the labels used for household appliances.
Significantly, the requirements now extend to smaller campuses that draw at least 500 kW of power, whereas previously only larger sites were subject to reporting obligations.
New metrics to be disclosed include total energy and water usage, Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE), Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE), the share of renewable energy, and the reuse of waste heat, among others.
The enhanced reporting aims to reveal not only how much energy data centers consume but also how effectively they balance that consumption against local pressures such as water stress.
“Tripling our data centre capacity cannot mean tripling the pressure on our grids, our water and our energy bills,” said Clean, Just and Competitive Transition EVP Teresa Ribera.
The push for greater disclosure coincides with the EU’s broader effort to expand local computing capabilities and reduce dependence on international infrastructure. According to Reuters, the bloc plans to triple its data‑center capacity over the next seven years.
The rating scheme will undergo a two‑month scrutiny period before implementation. The first labels are expected to appear as early as this year, with a full review of the program’s effectiveness targeted for the end of 2028.
“Understanding their energy and resource consumption is the essential first step towards integrating them sustainably into our energy system,” added Energy and Housing Commissioner Dan Jørgensen.
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