Story perspectives

European Commission Proposes EU Data Centre Rating Scheme

By Drooid · Sep 21, 2026, 6:32 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

The European Commission proposed a common rating scheme for EU data centres.
The scheme covers facilities that consume more than 500 kilowatts of power.
It will rate energy use, water use, waste-heat reuse, clean-energy contribution and demand flexibility.
A 12-week public consultation runs until 14 December 2026.
First labels will be displayed in an EU database in 2027.

History

Historical Context

In 2005 the European Union introduced the EU Emissions Trading System, the first large cap-and-trade scheme, covering about 10,000 installations and roughly 40% of EU emissions. By 2023 it had cut emissions from those sources by 47%, showing EU-wide market tools can drive clean-energy investment. The 2024 Commission proposal now applies a similar EU-wide label to data-centres using over 500 kW.

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Story summary

The European Commission proposed a common rating scheme for EU data centres.
The scheme covers facilities that consume more than 500 kilowatts of power.
It will rate energy use, water use, waste-heat reuse, clean-energy contribution and demand flexibility.
A 12-week public consultation runs until 14 December 2026.
First labels will be displayed in an EU database in 2027.

1 / 2