Europe aims to be a global leader in AI development – but the enormous water consumption of data centers poses major challenges, especially for dry regions. Together, we must shape a sustainable digital transformation and secure a livable future for our children. We will discuss how this can be achieved at TransformIT Europe in Brussels.
By Jan Nintemann and Jochen Siegle; Photo: Tony Litvyak via Unsplash.
In April 2025, the European Union presented its ambitious action plan “AI Continent”. The goal is to make Europe the global hub for Artificial Intelligence.
For this, 200 billion euros are to be invested, and up to five AI gigafactories and 13 additional AI factories are to be built. However, while the technological prospects are promising, there are growing concerns regarding ecological and social responsibility.
The Oxford researcher Kevin Grecksch, an expert in water research, policy, and management, points out that one topic, in particular, is neglected in the plans: sustainability and the secure supply of water.
Water Consumption of Data Centers as a Challenge
Even traditional data centers require enormous amounts of water for cooling – averaging over 21,000 cubic meters per year. AI data centers with particularly powerful hardware need even more. At the same time, about one-third of European regions are under permanent water stress.
In these areas, bottlenecks can occur, and authorities must restrict water usage. The question therefore arises: What happens if data centers in water-scarce regions suddenly no longer receive cooling water?
Southern Europe as the Hub of AI Expansion
Despite these risks, major tech companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta are currently building massive AI sites in Spain, and Google is planning three new data centers in Greece – regions regularly affected by drought.
Paradoxically, dry and sunny areas are particularly attractive: low humidity protects hardware, and high solar radiation enables cost-effective solar energy. However, the infrastructure advantage directly conflicts with limited water availability.
Innovative Solutions for a Sustainable Digital Infrastructure
Fortunately, the industry is already demonstrating ways to operate AI data centers with less water. For example, Microsoft is testing data centers that operate entirely without cooling water, such as through air or seawater cooling.
Further approaches focus on wastewater reuse or closed-loop systems. The goal is to create so-called “Water Positive Data Centers” – facilities that, in the long term, return more water to the environment than they consume.
Together for a Sustainable Digital Transformation
European AI development stands at a crucial juncture. Europe can be a technological leader, but this must not come at the expense of natural resources. For the digital transformation to truly succeed sustainably, politics, business, and society must act together. Only by working together in Europe can we leave a livable future for our children and future generations.
TransformIT Europe 2026 in May will be the central platform bringing together all relevant players in Europe – to make this very vision of a sustainable, innovative, and responsible digital future a reality.
Sources & Links
- https://commission.europa.eu/topics/eu-competitiveness/ai-continent_de
- Oxford researcher Kevin Grecksch, an expert in water research, policy, and management
- https://www.kompetenz-wasser.de/media/pages/newsroom/news/abwasser-als-ressource/01c0553e11-1743587880/250402_kwb_pm_abwasser-als-ressource_publication.pdf