114 TWh
The Commission expects EU data centre consumption to reach 114 TWh by 2030, equal to 3.2% of EU electricity demand.
European Commission770 data centres
770 data centres reported data in the first EU reporting period, about 36% of the estimated total that fall under the reporting requirement.
European Commission6 Member States with zero reports
Six EU Member States reported zero data centres in the first reporting period, and five reported fewer than three.
European CommissionWhy this market is moving now
- Operators above 500 kW must report annually to the EU database, first by 15 September 2024 and then by 15 May each year.
- The Commission adopted the Cloud and AI Development Act proposal in June 2026 to at least triple EU capacity in 5 to 7 years.
- Consumption is projected to rise from 68 TWh in 2024 to 114 TWh by 2030.
Key figures
Each figure links to the page it came from.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data centres in the EU consumed 68 TWh of electricity in 2024. | 68 TWh | 2024 | European Commission |
| The Commission expects EU data centre consumption to reach 114 TWh by 2030, equal to 3.2% of EU electricity demand. | 114 TWh | 2030 | European Commission |
| 770 data centres reported data in the first EU reporting period, about 36% of the estimated total that fall under the reporting requirement. | 770 data centres | 2024 | European Commission |
| Six EU Member States reported zero data centres in the first reporting period, and five reported fewer than three. | 6 Member States with zero reports | 2024 | European Commission |
| Operators with installed IT power demand of at least 500 kW must publish energy performance data under Article 12(1) of the Energy Efficiency Directive (EU) 2023/1791. | 500 kW | 2024 | European Commission |
| The average reported power usage effectiveness (PUE) of EU data centres was 1.36 in 2024, against a US national average of 1.42 and a global average of 1.58 in 2023. | 1.36 PUE | 2024 | European Commission |
| The average reported water usage effectiveness (WUE) of EU data centres was 0.58 in 2024, ranging from 0.07 to 1.28 across Member States. | 0.58 WUE | 2024 | European Commission |
| Only 67 data centres reported any waste heat reuse in the first EU reporting period. | 67 data centres | 2024 | European Commission |
| The Commission's aim under its Cloud and AI Development Act is to at least triple EU data centre capacity within the next 5 to 7 years; the proposal was adopted in June 2026. | 3x capacity multiple | 2026 | European Commission |
| The Commission's InvestAI initiative aims to mobilise EUR 200 billion for AI investment, including a EUR 20 billion fund for AI gigafactories. | 20 EUR billion (gigafactory fund) | 2025 | European Commission |
Companies to watch
European Commission (DG Energy)
Runs the EU database on data centres and proposed the Cloud and AI Development Act.
EuroHPC Joint Undertaking
EU body that handles the AI gigafactory call funded under InvestAI; see https://www.eurohpc-ju.europa.eu.
European Investment Bank Group
Signed a memorandum with the Commission to advise AI gigafactory consortia; see https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news/commission-and-european-investment-bank-group-team-support-ai-gigafactories.
What the full report covers
- 1
Executive summary
The answer on two pages: size, growth and what drives it.
- 2
Market size and outlook
History, the current year and a five-year view with base, low and high cases.
- 3
Segments and regions
Splits by product, buyer and geography across the US, Europe and MEA.
- 4
Company profiles
The main players, how they compete and where they are investing.
- 5
Data and method
Every figure in Excel, with the sources and assumptions behind it.
- 01Executive summary
The answer in one page: size, direction and what moves it - 02Market definition and scope
What is in and out of the European Union market - 03Market size, 2021 to 2025
Historical series and growth rates - 04Outlook to 2031
Base, low and high scenarios with stated assumptions - 05Rules, policy and deadlines
Regulation and programmes that change demand - 06Drivers and barriers
What accelerates or slows adoption, by customer segment - 07Prices, costs and margins
Unit economics where public data allows - 08Competitive landscape
8 to 12 company profiles with recent moves - 09Opportunities and risks
For new entrants, suppliers and investors - 10Method and sources
Every assumption and source, listed
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Frequently asked questions
How much electricity do EU data centres use?
The European Commission reports EU data centres consumed 68 TWh in 2024 and projects 114 TWh by 2030, or 3.2% of EU electricity demand.
Which data centres must report under the EU Energy Efficiency Directive?
Operators with installed IT power of at least 500 kW must publish energy performance data. Some Member States set lower thresholds, such as 300 kW in Germany, per the Commission report.
How many EU data centres have reported their data?
In the first reporting period 770 data centres reported, about 36% of the estimated total. Six Member States reported none, so the EU picture is incomplete.
How efficient are EU data centres?
The Commission reports an average PUE of 1.36 and an average WUE of 0.58 for 2024. Only 67 sites reported any waste heat reuse.
What is the EU planning for data centre capacity?
The Commission's Cloud and AI Development Act aims to at least triple EU data centre capacity within 5 to 7 years. InvestAI also targets a EUR 20 billion fund for AI gigafactories.
Sources and method
The figures on this page come from the public sources listed below. Read how we work.
- European Commission: Report on the energy efficiency of data centres in the EU, COM(2026) 500 final (2026-09-21)
In 2024, data centres in the EU consumed 68 TWh of electricity
- European Commission: Report on the energy efficiency of data centres in the EU, COM(2026) 500 final (2026-09-21)
This consumption is expected to rise to 114 TWh by 2030
- European Commission: Report on the energy efficiency of data centres in the EU, COM(2026) 500 final (2026-09-21)
770 data centres reported their data in the first reporting period, representing around 36% of the estimated total
- European Commission: Report on the energy efficiency of data centres in the EU, COM(2026) 500 final (2026-09-21)
Six Member States have reported zero data centres, and five Member States have reported fewer than three data centres
- European Commission: Report on the energy efficiency of data centres in the EU, COM(2026) 500 final (2026-09-21)
with a power demand of installed information technology (IT) of at least 500 kW to make publicly available information
- European Commission: Report on the energy efficiency of data centres in the EU, COM(2026) 500 final (2026-09-21)
In 2024, the average reported PUE of data centres in the EU stood at 1.36
- European Commission: Report on the energy efficiency of data centres in the EU, COM(2026) 500 final (2026-09-21)
In 2024, the average reported WUE of data centres in the EU was 0.58
- European Commission: Report on the energy efficiency of data centres in the EU, COM(2026) 500 final (2026-09-21)
Only 67 data centres reported some waste heat reuse in the first reporting period.
- European Commission: Cloud computing policy page, Cloud and AI Development Act (2026-06)
at least triple the EU's data centre capacity within the next 5 to 7 years
- European Commission: EU launches InvestAI initiative to mobilise EUR 200 billion of investment in artificial intelligence (2025-02-11)
mobilise €200 billion for investment in AI, including a new European fund of €20 billion for AI gigafactories.
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