Are today’s data centres built for tomorrow’s demands?
Australasia Energy Transition Lead & Associate Principal
Fellow, Masterplanning and Urban Design Director
The demand for new data centre capacity is growing at an unprecedented pace, driven by the rise of artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and the ever-increasing need for real-time digital services. However, this rapid growth runs headlong
The current reality
Despite growing awareness, most data centres still prioritise speed to market and cost over sustainability. As a result, even though some facilities make progress in certain areas, truly green data centres remain rare. Existing sustainability metrics like Power Usage Effectiveness (PuE) are helpful but limited. While some regulators—like those in the Netherlands—are beginning to introduce PuE-based rules, these efforts are only a starting point. The technology to support a truly net zero data centre is still emerging, but that doesn’t mean we can’t act now. Operators must begin building flexibility and adaptability into their infrastructure today to future-proof their assets.
Addressing emissions across all scopes
Scope 1: Direct Emissions.
Most data centres rely on diesel backup generators, a key source of direct emissions. Alternatives like grid-scale batteries or fuel cells exist but aren’t yet mature or commercially viable in all contexts. Future-ready centres must begin exploring diversified backup strategies.
Scope 2: Indirect Emissions from Electricity.
While many centres claim to run on “green energy” tariffs, these do not guarantee additional renewable generation. Energy efficiency, therefore, remains critical. Maintaining a low PuE ratio and designing for operational adaptability is essential.
Planning for a smarter future
Global data centre energy consumption is already between 200 and 250 TWh annually—roughly 1% of global electricity use. According to the IEA, this could triple by 2040. With such staggering projections, it’s vital to begin designing for evolving technologies today.
Cooling systems, one of the most energy-intensive components of a data centre, are improving. The industry is moving toward liquid chip cooling, which offers dramatic efficiency gains. While widespread adoption is still in development, facilities built today must be ready to transition.