A new CNET report says hyperscale data centres powering AI are driving up electricity and water use, while tech firms increasingly rely on fossil fuels to keep them running.
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01Summary
- 01Journalist Paris Marx visited data centres in Ashburn, Virginia, and South Dublin, Ireland, and described heavy security around the sites.
- 02Amazon, Microsoft and Google control 59% of hyperscale data centre capacity, according to the report.
- 03Meta’s Louisiana data centre may require 4,500 megawatts of power, which officials say is four times New Orleans’ electricity use on its hottest day in 2025.
- 04A hyperscale data centre can use 1 million to 5 million gallons of water a day, equivalent to a town of more than 10,000 residents, according to a 2025 estimate.
- 05Google said its greenhouse gas emissions rose 50% in 2024 to support generative AI, while Microsoft has said its carbon-negative target was before the AI boom.
02Why it matters
The story shows how the AI build-out is clashing with climate pledges from major tech firms. It also highlights potential local impacts, including water use, noise and fossil-fuel pollution near data centre communities.
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