Tamara Merino for Rest of World
Countries around the world are investing millions of dollars in building data centers to meet the growing demand for generative artificial intelligence, while also storing data within their own borders. But many of these countries have climates that are too hot for optimal data center operations, cranking up the cost of electricity.
In Rest of World’s recent visual investigation, we set out to document how many data centers globally are located in regions that are too hot. We found that in 21 countries, including Singapore and the UAE, all data centers are located in areas where the average temperatures are simply too high.
Many of these countries are scrambling to meet the data centers’ rising energy demands. In Mexico, home to 150 data centers, the limited electric grid has forced companies including Microsoft to use gas generators.
Brazil recently announced its national data center policy, intended to lure Big Tech with tax breaks and renewable energy alternatives. Tech giants have already signed multimillion-dollar contracts to build data centers in the country. But environmental regulators are raising the alarm about their potential impact, especially in fragile areas, including a city that was hit by record floods last year.
