Key facts
- There are approximately 12,250 data centres globally, up from 8,000 in 2021.
- The US leads with 4,767 data centres, but China leads in capacity.
- The world's largest operational data centre is in Hohhot, China, covering one million square metres.
- Data centres worldwide are thought to consume more electricity than the whole of France.
- The tech industry is expected to spend $765 billion on AI infrastructure this year and over $1 trillion next year.
Data centres, the massive buildings powering internet services and the AI boom, are facing a global backlash due to their rapid growth, high electricity consumption, and environmental impact. In the US, the issue has become prominent ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, with politicians opposing their development. President Donald Trump has dismissed these concerns as a 'sick conspiracy'.
Globally, there are about 12,250 data centres, a significant increase from 2021. The US has the most sites, but China leads in overall capacity. These facilities are becoming larger, with new sites like Colossus 2 being built to house advanced AI chips for services like xAI's Grok chatbot. Activists are concerned about potential air pollution from power sources like methane gas turbines, though regulators state they will meet air quality standards.
Data centres consume vast amounts of electricity, estimated to exceed France's total consumption, and can strain local water resources. Despite these concerns, data centres are also seen as economic drivers, creating jobs and attracting investment, particularly hyperscale facilities run by tech giants like Amazon and Microsoft. The tech industry is investing heavily in AI infrastructure, with plans to spend over $1 trillion next year.