European Commission to accelerate smart meter rollout and data center labeling

The European Commission intends to accelerate the installation of smart meters across member states to manage the increasing strain on power grids caused by the rising demand for Artificial Intelligence (AI) computing capacity. The deployment of these meters aims to improve grid load management and increase transparency regarding energy consumption.

Additionally, the Commission has introduced new energy and water efficiency labels for data centers, targeting facilities with an installed capacity exceeding 500 kW. This labeling system, which uses classes from A to G, will evaluate Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) and Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE). The first electronic labels are expected by August 15, 2027. The regulations also aim to account for grid services, such as the utilization of waste heat.