Sustainability still not a high priority for datacenter industry

Sustainability still not a high priority for datacenter industry

The datacenter industry continues to lag in prioritising sustainability despite increasing legislative pressure and awareness of environmental issues. A recent survey by Aggreko reveals that while concerns such as extreme weather and equipment costs dominate builders’ minds, sustainability measures are still not at the forefront of their strategies.

Source: The Register

Key Points

  • Surveys conducted among datacenter construction managers reveal sustainability is still secondary to cost and weather-related issues.
  • Extreme weather is a significant concern, with 37% reporting delays due to it in the previous year.
  • 78% of respondents believe sustainability is more critical today than three years ago, driven by new regulations like the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).
  • Despite awareness, cost remains the main barrier to adopting greener technologies in datacenter construction.
  • Many construction managers cited gas-powered generation as pivotal for transitioning from diesel, with few dismissing its use completely.

Why should I read this?

If you’re in the datacenter industry—or just curious about how sustainability measures are evolving—this article cuts through the fluff to highlight the ongoing struggles and contradictions in balancing environmental responsibility with operational costs. It’s essential reading for anyone wanting to understand the real challenges at play in this industry.