Assessment of Next Steps to Promote the Energy Performance and Sustainability of Data Centres in EU, Including the Establishment of an EU-wide Rating Scheme

Simon Hinterholzer; Ralph Hintemann; Severin Beucker; Nicolas Oliver Marx; Dennis Heatubun; Ionut Dragan; Marco Bolchi; Patricia Lopes Bautista; Patrik Furda

doi:10.2833/0828045

Assessment of Next Steps to Promote the Energy Performance and Sustainability of Data Centres in EU, Including the Establishment of an EU-wide Rating Scheme

Simon Hinterholzer
, Ralph Hintemann
, Severin Beucker
, Nicolas Oliver Marx
, Dennis Heatubun
, Ionut Dragan
, Marco Bolchi
, Patricia Lopes Bautista
, Patrik Furda

Borderstep Institut für Innovation und Nachhaltigkeit gGmbH
EY Belgium

Research output: Books and Reports › Report › peer-review

Abstract

This report, prepared for the European Commission by EY, AIT and the Borderstep Institute, assesses the energy performance and sustainability of data centres across the EU in line with Article 12(5) of Directive 2023/1791. It evaluates reported data and proposes methodological improvements for data quality and indicator reporting. The study explores options for an EU-wide rating scheme, defines Minimum Performance Standards (MPS) for energy efficiency, and examines the feasibility of achieving a net-zero emission data centre sector. Results are based on reported data from over 700 facilities, stakeholder consultations, and a review of existing international standards. Recommendations aim to support harmonised monitoring, transparency, and policy design for sustainable data centre development in the EU.

Original language	English
Publisher	Publications Office of the European Union
Number of pages	89
ISBN (Electronic)	978-92-68-32535-3
ISBN (Print)	978-92-68-32535-3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.2833/0828045
Publication status	Published - 8 Oct 2025

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy

Research Field

Energy Scenarios & System Planning
Large Energy Supply Infrastructure

Keywords

Data center
Energy efficiency
Sustainability
Rating scheme
Minimum performance standards
Waste heat

Access to Document

10.2833/0828045

Cite this

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abstract = "This report, prepared for the European Commission by EY, AIT and the Borderstep Institute, assesses the energy performance and sustainability of data centres across the EU in line with Article 12(5) of Directive 2023/1791. It evaluates reported data and proposes methodological improvements for data quality and indicator reporting. The study explores options for an EU-wide rating scheme, defines Minimum Performance Standards (MPS) for energy efficiency, and examines the feasibility of achieving a net-zero emission data centre sector. Results are based on reported data from over 700 facilities, stakeholder consultations, and a review of existing international standards. Recommendations aim to support harmonised monitoring, transparency, and policy design for sustainable data centre development in the EU.",

keywords = "Data center, Energy efficiency, Sustainability, Rating scheme, Minimum performance standards, Waste heat",

author = "Simon Hinterholzer and Ralph Hintemann and Severin Beucker and Marx, \{Nicolas Oliver\} and Dennis Heatubun and Ionut Dragan and Marco Bolchi and \{Lopes Bautista\}, Patricia and Patrik Furda",

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month = oct,

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doi = "10.2833/0828045",

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AU - Hinterholzer, Simon

AU - Hintemann, Ralph

AU - Beucker, Severin

AU - Marx, Nicolas Oliver

AU - Heatubun, Dennis

AU - Dragan, Ionut

AU - Bolchi, Marco

AU - Lopes Bautista, Patricia

AU - Furda, Patrik

PY - 2025/10/8

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N2 - This report, prepared for the European Commission by EY, AIT and the Borderstep Institute, assesses the energy performance and sustainability of data centres across the EU in line with Article 12(5) of Directive 2023/1791. It evaluates reported data and proposes methodological improvements for data quality and indicator reporting. The study explores options for an EU-wide rating scheme, defines Minimum Performance Standards (MPS) for energy efficiency, and examines the feasibility of achieving a net-zero emission data centre sector. Results are based on reported data from over 700 facilities, stakeholder consultations, and a review of existing international standards. Recommendations aim to support harmonised monitoring, transparency, and policy design for sustainable data centre development in the EU.

AB - This report, prepared for the European Commission by EY, AIT and the Borderstep Institute, assesses the energy performance and sustainability of data centres across the EU in line with Article 12(5) of Directive 2023/1791. It evaluates reported data and proposes methodological improvements for data quality and indicator reporting. The study explores options for an EU-wide rating scheme, defines Minimum Performance Standards (MPS) for energy efficiency, and examines the feasibility of achieving a net-zero emission data centre sector. Results are based on reported data from over 700 facilities, stakeholder consultations, and a review of existing international standards. Recommendations aim to support harmonised monitoring, transparency, and policy design for sustainable data centre development in the EU.

KW - Data center

KW - Energy efficiency

KW - Sustainability

KW - Rating scheme

KW - Minimum performance standards

KW - Waste heat

UR - https://publications.ait.ac.at/en/publications/51caa5a8-10ba-48cb-aa14-706b39a32df0

U2 - 10.2833/0828045

DO - 10.2833/0828045

M3 - Report

SN - 978-92-68-32535-3

BT - Assessment of Next Steps to Promote the Energy Performance and Sustainability of Data Centres in EU, Including the Establishment of an EU-wide Rating Scheme

PB - Publications Office of the European Union

ER -

Assessment of Next Steps to Promote the Energy Performance and Sustainability of Data Centres in EU, Including the Establishment of an EU-wide Rating Scheme

Abstract

UN SDGs

Research Field

Keywords

Access to Document

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