Analysis: Big Tech is building thirsty AI data centers in highly “water stressed” areas
Big Tech is currently on a building spree, setting up massive power-hungry data centers all over the world to power the current AI frenzy.
The huge amounts of energy required to run these data centers has led companies like Microsoft, Elon Musk’s xAI, Meta, and Google to come up with some creative solutions for supplying that energy, including firing up long-closed nuclear power plants, hauling in dozens of portable (unregulated) gas turbines, and reopening gas- and-coal-fired power plants.
Many new data centers are building substantial renewable energy projects to stay green.
But it’s much harder to scale up another crucial resource needed for these data centers: water. A new analysis from Bloomberg looked at the places where large data centers are being built around the world, and found a troubling trend:
“Bloomberg News found that about two-thirds of new data centers built or in development since 2022 are in places already gripped by high levels of water stress. While these facilities are popping up all over the country, five states alone account for 72% of the new centers in high-stress areas.”
The analysis also found that the problem was especially severe in China, where more of the population lives near high water-stressed areas.
Many new data centers are building substantial renewable energy projects to stay green.
But it’s much harder to scale up another crucial resource needed for these data centers: water. A new analysis from Bloomberg looked at the places where large data centers are being built around the world, and found a troubling trend:
“Bloomberg News found that about two-thirds of new data centers built or in development since 2022 are in places already gripped by high levels of water stress. While these facilities are popping up all over the country, five states alone account for 72% of the new centers in high-stress areas.”
The analysis also found that the problem was especially severe in China, where more of the population lives near high water-stressed areas.
