The European Commission adopted on 21 September a common rating scheme for data centres, to make their energy and water use transparent [1].
It will cover individual data centres with a capacity above 500 kW, and rate their contribution to the grid, such as reusing waste heat, adding clean generation and adjusting their demand [1].
The Commission expects the first sustainability labels for individual data centres to be displayed in 2027 [1].
It also opened a consultation on minimum performance standards for data centres operating in Europe, which closes on 14 December 2026 [1].
What it covers
Data centres in the EU above the 500 kW threshold. The scheme builds on the Energy Efficiency Directive and the reporting scheme for data centres of 2024 [1].
EU data centres used around 68 TWh of electricity in 2024, which the International Energy Agency expects to nearly double to 114 TWh by 2030, more than 3% of EU demand, the release says [1].
The EU wants to triple its data centre capacity over the next five to seven years [1].
What it does not tell you
Whether it will take effect as written. The delegated act faces a two-month scrutiny period in which the European Parliament and the Council can object, though not amend it [1].
What minimum performance standards will require. They are at the consultation stage [1].
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