Data center frenzy taxes natural resources, sparks anger around the globe
The race to build ever-larger power-hungry data centers isn’t limited to the US. In Ireland, more than 20% (!!!) of the country’s electricity is consumed by data centers. In Mexico, poor communities near data center sites are seeing water supplies dry up and their fragile power grids falter.
A New York Times report examines what these data center projects look like around the world and tracks the local opposition mounted by environmental groups seeking to block future projects.
The report notes that despite growing local opposition, countries are still bending over backward to lure the billions of dollars in investment that come with these data center projects, offering rich tax incentives to the companies developing the projects, in exchange for a relatively small number of jobs and promises of various, if vague, local benefits.
Much like in the US, the data center deals are shrouded in secrecy, with elected officials required to sign NDAs and the extensive use of shell companies masking the identity of the massive tech companies behind the projects.
A New York Times report examines what these data center projects look like around the world and tracks the local opposition mounted by environmental groups seeking to block future projects.
The report notes that despite growing local opposition, countries are still bending over backward to lure the billions of dollars in investment that come with these data center projects, offering rich tax incentives to the companies developing the projects, in exchange for a relatively small number of jobs and promises of various, if vague, local benefits.
Much like in the US, the data center deals are shrouded in secrecy, with elected officials required to sign NDAs and the extensive use of shell companies masking the identity of the massive tech companies behind the projects.
