Data center water consumption could reach 644 billion liters by 2030

The rapid expansion of data centers, driven largely by the growth of artificial intelligence, is projected to significantly increase global water demand for cooling purposes. According to estimates from Rystad Energy, direct water consumption for cooling in data centers was approximately 222 billion liters in 2025.

In a central risk scenario, this figure could nearly triple to just under 644 billion liters annually by 2030. However, the actual impact will depend on industry efficiency measures. An intermediate efficiency scenario could lower consumption to 543 billion liters, while aggressive adoption of water-saving technologies could limit usage to 388 billion liters.

Predicting the exact hydrological footprint remains challenging due to variables such as cooling technology, local climate conditions, and facility location. These estimates focus on direct water consumption for cooling, noting that indirect water usage also contributes to the sector's overall footprint.