Green Power: Why AI Data Centers Need Clean Energy Now

9 December 2025

2 min Reading Time

The AI boom is driving demand for new data centers. Yet many Germans view their construction and expansion critically – due to high energy and water consumption – as an international study shows.

TL;DR

57 % of respondents fear data centers could impair their local water supply.
63 % are concerned about ecological damage to surrounding areas near planned data centers.
43 % expect data centers to account for a large share of Germany’s electricity consumption long-term.
69 % demand that new data centers be powered exclusively by renewable electricity.
Data center electricity consumption could rise to as much as 116 TWh annually by 2037.

Construction and expansion of data centers to meet surging AI demand are increasingly drawing criticism in Germany. Many respondents cite not only the high electricity demand – but also the substantial water consumption – as major concerns. According to Heise Online, these findings come from a representative survey conducted by UK-based polling firm Savanta.com, commissioned by AlgorithmWatch and a coalition of NGOs.

In Germany, 1,002 people were surveyed in September 2025. More than half (57%) worry that data centers’ high water usage could jeopardize their own water supply. Meanwhile, 63% fear harm to local ecosystems if a data center opens nearby.

Concerns about personal electricity supply are comparatively lower: 43% anticipate data centers will eventually account for a large share of Germany’s total energy consumption. Just under one-third (32%) believe this is already the case today.

Preventing the AI Hype from Becoming a “Climate Killer”

Data centers power the AI boom – but many Germans insist growth must be fueled by green electricity, so AI doesn’t become a climate liability. (Image source: Unsplash / Tyler)

Over two-thirds of Germans want new data centers permitted only if they draw electricity exclusively from renewable sources (69%) or if additional renewable capacity is built specifically to power them (66%). Only 20% would approve construction if fossil fuels were used.

„New data centers absolutely require additional renewable energy generation – otherwise, the AI hype will inevitably become a climate killer,” stresses Julia Bothe, Senior Policy Manager for AI and Climate Protection at AlgorithmWatch. Since AI applications increase electricity demand, more renewable capacity is essential. „It’s completely pointless for a new data center to slap a ‘green’ sticker on its façade just because it uses renewable electricity – if, as a result, a coal- or gas-fired power plant has to fire up again to cover demand elsewhere.”

57 Prozent

fear data centers’ high water consumption could impair their local water supply.

63 Prozent

worry about ecosystem damage in surrounding areas if a data center opens nearby.

43 Prozent

of respondents expect data centers to account for a large share of Germany’s future electricity consumption.

Significantly Higher Data Center Electricity Demand by 2037

Currently, data centers consume roughly 3.5-4.0% of Germany’s total electricity – equivalent to 20-26 terawatt-hours (TWh). In 2010, their share was still below 2.0%. Electricity demand is growing especially fast in metropolitan hubs such as Frankfurt am Main – home to the massive Equinix data center campus – as well as Berlin and Munich, where numerous international IT companies have established operations.

As cited by AlgorithmWatch from Germany’s Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur), the agency has recently sharply revised upward its estimates for German data center electricity consumption. According to the updated figures, demand could climb to between 78 and 116 TWh by 2037 – accounting for up to 10% of Germany’s total electricity use.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many people participated in the survey?

A total of 1,002 people were surveyed in Germany in September 2025.

What share of Germany’s total electricity consumption do data centers currently account for?

Data centers currently consume approximately 3.5-4.0% of Germany’s total electricity.

How high could data center electricity demand rise by 2037?

Demand could reach 78-116 terawatt-hours annually by 2037.

What concerns do respondents raise regarding water consumption?

57% fear data centers’ high water consumption could impair their local water supply.

Under what conditions should new data centers be built?

69% demand that new data centers be powered exclusively by renewable electricity. 66% support building additional renewable capacity specifically for this purpose.