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European Data Centre Association

EUDCA

The European Data Centre Association represents the interests of commercial data centre operators in Europe.

Lobbying Activity

Meeting with Annalisa Corrado (Member of the European Parliament) and European Alliance to Save Energy and Trane Technologies

27 Jan 2026 · Data Centers sustainability

Meeting with Manuel Mateo Goyet (Acting Head of Unit Communications Networks, Content and Technology)

14 Jan 2026 · Data centre deployment in Europe and the upcoming CADA

EUDCA Urges EU to Align Taxonomy with Energy Laws

5 Dec 2025
Topic — The consultation reviews technical screening criteria for data centers under the EU taxonomy.
Message — EUDCA requests aligning the taxonomy with existing energy efficiency reporting to avoid duplicative work. They recommend phased timelines for older facilities and clearer responsibility for shared centers.12
Why — This would reduce compliance costs and prevent the expensive early replacement of functioning infrastructure.34
Impact — Environmental groups lose as older facilities delay adopting cooling systems with lower climate impacts.5
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Response to Future development and deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in Europe

4 Dec 2025

The European Data Centre Association (EUDCA) welcomes the Commissions initiative to develop a strategy for the future development and deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in Europe. As a representative voice of the digital infrastructure sector central to Europes competitiveness, digital sovereignty, and decarbonisation the EUDCA strongly supports the acceleration of SMR deployment as part of a balanced, secure, low carbon, and innovative EU energy mix. The SMR Strategy Communication comes at a pivotal time for Europes twin green and digital transitions, where energy security and technological leadership are increasingly intertwined. Building on established nuclear safety frameworks, the key opportunity now lies in creating the right market conditions, financing structures, and regulatory pathways to enable efficient SMR deployment at scale. This requires innovative policy solutions that can unlock private investment while supporting Europe's industrial and climate objectives. Please find the full feedback of EUDCA enclosed.
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Meeting with Silvia Bartolini (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen), Werner Stengg (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen)

18 Nov 2025 · CADA + GIGAFACTORIES

Meeting with Lukasz Kolinski (Director Energy) and APCO Worldwide

13 Nov 2025 · Grids Package

Response to Roadmap for artificial intelligence and digitalisation for energy (RAID-E)

5 Nov 2025

Please find the EUDCA's feedback attached. The European Data Centre Association (EUDCA) welcomes the European Commissions initiative to develop a Strategic Roadmap for Digitalisation and AI in the Energy Sector. This initiative comes at a pivotal moment, as Europe seeks to balance its ambitions for digitalisation and decarbonisation with the energy demands of critical sectors, and the rising electrification needs of end-use sectors. The upcoming Cloud and AI Development Act seeks to deliver the ambition to triple the data centre capacity in Europe in the span of 5 to 7 years. If delivered, this will create lasting competitiveness gains for all economic sectors. As the EU aims to triple its data centre capacity, it must realistically assess the expected future energy demands of the sector. Without sufficient energy availability, data centre investments risk being diverted to non-EU countries, undermining Europe's strategic autonomy and digitalisation objectives. Data centres are essential to Europes digital economy and future, enabling the deployment of AI, cloud computing, and other transformative technologies. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), although data centres power consumption is expected to rise, largely driven by the development and widespread use of AI, the uptake of AI applications in all economic sectors would lead to efficiency gains which would by far outweigh the emissions of the data centre sector. The IEA estimates that potential emission reductions achievable through AI deployment in end use sectors could be three to four times larger than the total data centre emissions by 2035. Data centres are both energy users and enablers of decarbonisation for other sectors if an adequate framework is put in place. This dual role calls for a holistic and balanced approach. The sector faces increasing competition for scarce energy resources alongside other large energy users, such as transport and industrial electrification. At the same time, data centres contribute to the EUs broader energy goals, including energy security and affordability. By providing demand-side flexibility, investing in renewable energy, and supporting grid stability, data centres help ensure a reliable and cost-effective energy system. The EUDCA is committed to supporting the EUs efforts to leverage digitalisation and AI for a cleaner, more efficient energy system. However, this must be done in a way that ensures the sustainable growth of the data centre industry and recognises the sectors critical role in Europes digital and energy transitions. Our position paper outlines EUDCAs recommendations to achieve these goals, focusing on long-term grid planning, sustainable integration of data centres, demand-side flexibility, and the acceleration of AI and digital solutions in the energy system.
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Response to Heating and cooling strategy

9 Oct 2025

Please find the EUDCA's feedback attached.
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Meeting with Margareta Djordjevic (Head of Unit Energy)

1 Oct 2025 · Data Centre Energy Efficiency Package (DCEEP)

EUDCA urges priority power grid access for data centres

1 Aug 2025
Topic — The consultation seeks measures to modernize, digitalize, and expand European electricity infrastructure.
Message — The EUDCA recommends that the EU "harmonise rules on priority access to the grid" for data centres as essential infrastructure. They call for "anticipatory grid investments" and "one-stop shops" to "centralise energy infrastructure permitting" and accelerate deployment.123
Why — Priority access and faster connections would help operators overcome "delayed access to power."45
Impact — Industries not deemed "critical or essential" could face delays in securing grid connections.6
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Meeting with Manuel Mateo Goyet (Acting Head of Unit Communications Networks, Content and Technology) and APCO Worldwide

9 Jul 2025 · Exchange of views on the reporting requirements for data centres under the Energy Efficiency Directive, the Cloud and AI Development Act (CADA), and Giga factories.

Meeting with Rosalinde Van Der Vlies (Director Energy) and Euroheat and Power

8 Jul 2025 · Role of district heating in EU’s clean energy transition

Response to Cloud and AI Development Act

30 Jun 2025

Please find the EUDCA's feedback attached.
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Meeting with Manuel Mateo Goyet (Acting Head of Unit Communications Networks, Content and Technology)

2 Apr 2025 · Exchange of views on data centre sustainability

EUDCA Urges EU to Avoid New Data Centre Water Rules

4 Mar 2025
Topic — The European Commission is developing a multi-annual strategy to achieve continent-wide water resilience.
Message — The EUDCA urges the Commission to refrain from imposing new water requirements on the industry. They argue that data centres already report usage and follow voluntary standards.12
Why — Avoiding further regulation prevents higher operational costs and protects the sector's global competitiveness.34
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Meeting with Bruno Tobback (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur)

20 Feb 2025 · Electricity Grids

Meeting with Elena Sancho Murillo (Member of the European Parliament) and Aena, S.M.E. S.A.

6 Feb 2025 · Relevant issues to the ITRE Committee

Meeting with Jörgen Warborn (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and Palo Alto Networks Inc.

6 Feb 2025 · Digital Infrastructure

Meeting with Giorgio Gori (Member of the European Parliament)

5 Dec 2024 · Presentation of priorities

Response to Rules specifying the obligations laid down in Articles 21(5) and 23(11) of the NIS 2 Directive

25 Jul 2024

The European Data Centres Association (EUDCA) has been representing the interest of data centre operators in Europe since 2011. The EUDCA is the voice of the data centre industry, with a diverse membership which includes European and international operators, vendors, and a network of national trade associations. The EUDCA welcomes the specifications, that the European Commission has laid out, on the NIS2 reporting requirements and risk-management measures that data centre operators will need to incorporate into their operations but is under the impression that both have the potential to lead to an increase in the administrative burden for data centre operators. Additionally, the current implementing regulation does not specify the differences between the different data centre business models and thus colocation data centre operators are at risk to breach the confidentiality agreements with their clients. Thus, the EUDCA requests the Commission to - Align the risk-management measures laid out in the Annex of the Implementing Regulation with international standards, such as ISO 27001; - Provide a guidance statement and mapping tool for the organisations reference and usage to check common control requirements and focus on the gaps which are not covered as a part of existing ISO 27001 certification scope; - Implement the existing definition for co-location data centres of the delegated regulation C(2024) 1639; - Issue clarification documentation for Art. 8 a), b), c) to limit the scope of reporting incidents to severe infractions of customer SLAs. - Remove the reporting requirement under Art. 8 d) for colocation data centre operators.
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EUDCA demands clear infrastructure definitions and energy grid upgrades

27 Jun 2024
Topic — This consultation explores scenarios for meeting Europe's future digital infrastructure needs.
Message — They recommend clearly defining 'digital infrastructure' to distinguish data centres from telecommunications. The industry calls for linking climate and energy policies to ensure grid capacity.12
Why — Tailored regulations would protect their specific business models from being mismanaged under general telecommunications rules.3
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Response to Reporting scheme for data centres in Europe

15 Jan 2024

Please find attached EUDCA's feedback on the reporting scheme for data centres.
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Data Centre Association Urges Single Hub for Reporting Requirements

1 Dec 2023
Topic — The Commission initiative seeks to reduce corporate reporting burdens by 25% across sectors.
Message — The organization proposes a single European data hub to eliminate duplicate auditing. They also advocate for narrowing reporting requirements to only include larger colocation customers.12
Why — These reforms would lower operational costs and protect sensitive customer data and trust.34
Impact — Customers and critical services face security risks if sensitive IT data is reported.5
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European Data Centre Association urges climate targets for manufacturers

23 Jun 2023
Topic — Establishing an EU-wide 2040 climate target to achieve neutrality by 2050.
Message — Policies should target server emissions through mandatory recycling, reuse, and repair requirements. The Commission should fund district heating infrastructure to enable waste heat recovery. Other industries should adopt self-regulatory climate targets inspired by data centers.123
Why — Mandating sustainable manufacturing would allow operators to reduce Scope 3 emissions they cannot control.4
Impact — Heating network operators and manufacturers would face higher costs for infrastructure and recycling mandates.5
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EUDCA urges support for data centre waste heat recovery

26 May 2023
Topic — EU plan to accelerate heat pump deployment for climate-friendly heating goals.
Message — EUDCA seeks to remove structural barriers and secure investment for heat recovery. They argue that chemical bans should not hinder the rollout of heat pumps.123
Why — This would increase economic feasibility and reduce financial risks for operators.45
Impact — Consumers lose access to affordable heating if chemical regulations block new technology.6
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Data centre industry urges better renewable energy access for SMEs

23 May 2023
Topic — Reform of EU electricity market rules to increase resilience and sustainability.
Message — The organization calls for pooling demand and supply to help smaller players access Power Purchase Agreements. They recommend extending long-term transmission rights to twenty years to facilitate cross-border energy markets.12
Why — Data centres would secure stable electricity supplies and reduced risks for cross-border investments.34
Impact — Smaller electricity users could suffer from higher regional prices under mandatory virtual hubs.5
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Data centre group urges exemptions to prevent supply chain delays

20 Jan 2023
Topic — The EU is setting cybersecurity requirements for manufacturers and vendors of digital products.
Message — They request exempting specific components from external audits to prevent unnecessary costs and logistical delays. They urge the Commission to recognize existing international standards and reconsider the requirement to reset products to factory settings.123
Why — This allows operators to avoid new testing costs and ensures global market competitiveness.45
Impact — Regulators lose the ability to easily ban suppliers based on geopolitical security concerns.6
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Meeting with Daniel Mes (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans) and Bureau Brussels Consulting

17 Nov 2022 · Multimodal ticketing

Meeting with Daniel Mes (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans) and CLOUD INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES PROVIDERS IN EUROPE

24 Mar 2021 · Climate neutral data centres

Meeting with Daniel Mes (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans)

30 Jan 2020 · The Green Deal and the ICT sector