Commission Proposes A-to-G Energy Rating System for EU Data Centres

The European Commission proposed a common EU rating scheme to increase energy transparency at data centres, as the bloc aims to triple data centre capacity over the next seven years to compete with the US and China on AI. Facilities above 500 kW would receive an A (green, most efficient) to G (red, least efficient) rating based on reported energy and water use, grid contributions, clean-energy additions and waste-heat reuse — modelled on the existing label used for home appliances. The legal proposal now faces a two-month scrutiny period by the European Parliament and Council before entering into force, with the first sustainability labels for individual data centres expected in 2027; the Commission said it is also examining minimum performance standards for data centres.