Germans Demand Renewable Energy for Data Centers Amidst Growing Concerns

Germans worry about data centers' high energy and water use. They demand renewable energy to protect local supplies and ecosystems.

, and Administrator

2025 October 27 . 7:05 AM

1 min read

As we can see in the image there is water, boats, buildings, current poles and sky.

Poll: Population Critically Views New Data Centers - Germans Demand Renewable Energy for Data Centers Amidst Growing Concerns

Germans are growing increasingly concerned about the expansion of data centers in their country. The primary issues are the high electricity demand and water consumption of these facilities, which are seen as threats to local water supplies and ecosystems.

A recent survey revealed that 69% of Germans insist that new data centers should only be built if they run on renewable energy. This is due to the significant electricity consumption increases in major sites like Berlin (NTT Global Data Centers, 80,000 m²), Hanau (Google, 60,000 m²), and Frankfurt, where the IT load is about 1,020 MW with strong growth projection. Even the planned data center in Dummerstorf, with a capacity of up to 1.2 GW, faces criticism.

Currently, data centers consume roughly 3.5 to 4 percent of Germany's total electricity, equivalent to around 20 to 26 TWh annually. However, projections suggest this could rise to between 78 TWh and 116 TWh by 2037, potentially accounting for up to 10 percent of the country's total power demand. Over four in ten (43%) Germans believe data centers will significantly contribute to future energy consumption, while nearly a third (32%) think they already do.

Over half (57%) of Germans surveyed fear that data centers could threaten their local water supply. Nearly two-thirds (63%) worry that data centers could harm local ecosystems.

The growing concern about data centers in Germany is fueled by their high electricity demand and water consumption, as well as the potential impact on local water supplies and ecosystems. As the demand for data centers continues to rise, so does the need for sustainable solutions to mitigate these concerns.