Data in Need of Refreshment Finds Solace on Arid Grounds

In the heart of Spain, Talavera de la Reina is set to become home to a significant new addition – a data center by Meta, valued at 1.1 billion euros. However, this development comes amidst a broader global challenge: the substantial water consumption of data centers, which are essential for cooling and operation.

Data centers, particularly hyperscale facilities, consume vast quantities of water, often comparable to the needs of tens of thousands of residents. Meta's global water withdrawals in 2023 totaled around 3.9 billion liters, with some individual data centers like Clonee in Ireland consuming over 650 million liters per year.

The Talavera de la Reina data center is expected to consume 665.4 million liters of drinking water per year. Given the scale of water demand, Spain's preparedness regarding environmental impact and water availability is a matter of concern.

Talavera de la Reina is located in Castilla-La Mancha, a region that can face water scarcity challenges during drought periods. This heightens sensitivity to large water withdrawals, especially in light of Spain's current critical climatic situation, marked by recurrent periods of drought.

However, there are factors that offer some hope. The European Union's Energy Efficiency Directive mandates annual transparency in water usage for energy-intensive facilities such as data centers over 100 kW. This encourages data centers in Spain to monitor and report water usage diligently, linking environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria to financing.

Advanced cooling technologies, such as liquid-cooled high-density racks and closed-loop water systems, are increasingly adopted worldwide to reduce water consumption dramatically. Meta and similar large operators are likely to implement such innovations to mitigate impact.

Despite these measures, some believe that the latest numbers presented by Meta for water consumption are still far from satisfactory. Local activists, such as Aurora Gómez, have raised concerns about the harmful consequences of data centers on Spain's water resources. Gómez sees a parallel between the airport project 25 years ago and Meta's data center, as both targeted depopulated and ageing areas with little opposition.

The data center project in Talavera de la Reina has been labeled a Project of Singular Interest by the government of Castilla-La Mancha. Many in the town see this investment as a possible salvation due to high unemployment and a declining population.

The data center sector is not unique to Spain. Big tech companies are increasingly looking to the south of Europe for land to build data centers due to factors including a lack of public debate and an eagerness for foreign investment. Portugal has become one of the fastest-growing markets in the data center industry, and the Mexican state of Querétaro could soon host one of the biggest data center hubs in the continent.

However, this expansion is not without controversy. In Zeewolde, Netherlands, Meta had planned to build a data center, but the project was cancelled due to local opposition. In the Netherlands, authorities have recently applied moratoriums on the construction of data centers due to their resource consumption.

As Meta moves forward with its plans in Talavera de la Reina, it has presented a plan to reduce the project's water consumption by 24%. Continuous monitoring, innovative cooling methods, and regional water management strategies will be essential to minimize any conflict between digital infrastructure growth and environmental sustainability in Talavera de la Reina.

The science of environmental-science is essential in assessing the impact of data centers on water resources, especially in regions like Castilla-La Mancha, where water scarcity can be a challenge.
Climate-change, marked by recurrent drought periods, increases sensitivity to large water withdrawals by data centers, such as the one proposed in Talavera de la Reina.
The renewable-energy sector, particularly advances in technology, offers potential solutions to the high water consumption of data centers, through innovations in cooling systems and eco-friendly practices.
In the realm of finance and personal-finance, investors are increasingly considering the ESG criteria when making decisions, and the water usage of data centers is becoming a key factor in their calculations.
Wealth-management firms are noting the potential risks and opportunities posed by the data center industry, especially in emerging markets like Portugal and Querétaro, where government policy and the housing-market can influence investment decisions.
The real-estate market is also impacted by the development of data centers, as they can affect property values and create new demand for infrastructure in both urban and rural areas.
The Talavera de la Reina data center, like other large-scale facilities, contributes to the growth of the data-and-cloud-computing industry, playing a vital role in sectors as diverse as business, lifestyle, education-and-self-development, and policy-and-legislation.
General-news outlets are reporting on the balance between the economic benefits and environmental concerns associated with the expansion of the data center industry.
Crime-and-justice, especially cybercrime, is another issue linked to the growth of data centers, as they become increasingly attractive targets for hackers and other criminals.
Accidents, such as car-accidents, can also pose risks to people living near data centers, due to increased traffic and less public attention directed towards safety concerns.
Lifelong-learning is crucial for individuals who wish to stay informed about the complex interplay between technology, business, and the environment, particularly as it relates to issues like the sustainable-living movement.
Politics plays a significant role in shaping the rules and regulations governing the data center industry, as policy-and-legislation can determine factors like water usage, land development, and energy efficiency.
Learning from the past, such as the oppositions faced in projects like the airport 25 years ago, can help shape better strategies for engaging with communities and addressing their concerns, creating a more sustainable and equitable future for all.