EU data centers refuse to disclose energy and water usage, investigation finds

An investigation by Lighthouse Reports reveals that most European data centers, including a significant majority in the Netherlands, are failing to publicly disclose their energy and water consumption. The EU’s reliance on efficiency labels instead of raw data is being criticized for hindering transparency and potentially violating international agreements.

Reported Lack of Transparency in EU Data Centers

A Lighthouse Reports investigation, covered by TechRadar, reveals that most European data centers are not publicly disclosing their energy and water consumption. In the Netherlands, only 44 out of 186 large data centers reported electricity usage, and 47 reported water usage by late 2025, despite existing regulations aimed at improving transparency.

The investigation criticizes the European Union for providing efficiency labels instead of raw data on consumption. This approach, according to the report, prevents communities and policymakers from making informed judgments about the environmental impact of data centers.

Requests for consumption data were denied across multiple EU member states, with authorities citing either a lack of information or industry confidentiality as reasons. The Netherlands, described as one of the more transparent countries in the EU, still faces significant gaps in disclosure.

EU Accused of Violating Transparency Guarantees

Lighthouse Reports has filed a complaint under the Aarhus Convention, a treaty guaranteeing public access to environmental information. The complaint alleges that the EU is breaching its obligations by withholding raw data on data center energy and water usage.

The European Commission is reported to prioritize industry confidentiality over public access to environmental data. This has raised concerns about the effectiveness of EU regulations in ensuring transparency, particularly in sectors with high environmental footprints.

Context Behind EU Data Center Regulations

The EU has introduced regulations aimed at increasing transparency and sustainability in high-energy industries, including data centers. These rules are part of broader efforts to reduce environmental impact and improve accountability.

However, the implementation of these regulations has faced criticism for relying on efficiency metrics rather than raw consumption data. This has led to debates about the balance between industry privacy and public interest in environmental monitoring.

What this means

Lazyfounder analysis — our interpretation, not reported fact.

This investigation highlights a critical gap between policy intent and execution in the EU’s approach to environmental transparency. While regulations exist to ensure public access to data center consumption metrics, the reliance on efficiency labels rather than raw data undermines accountability. For founders and operators, this serves as a reminder that compliance does not always equal transparency—especially in industries with significant environmental footprints.

The lack of disclosure also complicates decision-making for local governments, investors, and communities trying to assess the trade-offs of hosting data centers. If the EU’s approach is replicated in other sectors, it could set a precedent where industry confidentiality trumps public interest, making it harder to build trust or justify sustainability claims.

Key takeaways

• Transparency gaps persist in the EU’s data center sector despite existing regulations.
• Most Dutch data centers are not publicly reporting energy and water usage, with only about a quarter disclosing figures.
• Efficiency labels are being used as a substitute for raw data, limiting local environmental assessments.
• Lighthouse Reports has accused the EU of violating the Aarhus Convention by restricting access to environmental information.
• Denials of data requests across EU member states suggest systemic barriers to transparency.

FAQ

Why is the lack of transparency in data center consumption a concern?

Without access to raw energy and water usage data, communities, policymakers, and investors cannot accurately assess the environmental impact of data centers. This limits the ability to make informed decisions about sustainability, resource allocation, and regulatory enforcement.

What is the Aarhus Convention?

The Aarhus Convention is an international treaty that guarantees public access to environmental information, participation in decision-making, and access to justice in environmental matters. It is legally binding for signatory countries, including EU member states.

How does the EU’s use of efficiency labels impact transparency?

Efficiency labels provide a standardized metric but do not disclose actual consumption figures. This limits transparency because it prevents stakeholders from evaluating the real-world environmental footprint of data centers or comparing facilities on a granular level.

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