The digital economy is hungry, and its appetite for data-center capacity shows no sign of slowing. But future growth plans must consider efficiency, not just scale.
McKinsey projects consumption could rise by 19-22 percent each year from 2023 through 2030, reaching up to 219 gigawatts of capacity. This expansion supports innovation and economic growth, yet it also intensifies the pressure on energy systems, water supplies and local resources.
Across industries, organizations are being measured not only on service availability, but also on environmental responsibility. The EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) requires over 50,000 companies to report on their environmental impacts starting in 2024, with requirements expanding through 2028. Similarly, UK companies are increasingly required to disclose sustainability information in their annual reports.
As sustainability commitments grow more visible, the conversation is shifting from “how much capacity can be built” to “how efficiently can it be used, and in using it efficiently, how can we drive up performance?"
Reframing performance and sustainability: better together
