Archive · 6 Jan 2026
Most Data Centers Built in Wrong Climates
Most data centers around the world are built in places that aren't good for the environment or for keeping the computers cool.
These centers need a lot of water and electricity to stay cool, which can hurt the environment.
Some places, like Singapore, are too hot and humid, while others, like Norway, are too cold.
In the US, many data centers are in places with water shortages.
Experts say building more data centers in places like Texas and Nebraska, where there's plenty of wind and solar power, would be better for the environment.
They're also thinking about building data centers in space, underground, or underwater to help reduce the environmental impact.
Most data centers are built in locations with temperatures outside the optimal range of 64.4°F to 80.6°F (18°C to 27°C).
Only less than 10% of data centers are in areas with temperatures above the upper limit, while the majority are in colder regions.
21 countries, including Singapore and Thailand, have all their data centers in areas with too-hot average temperatures.
The US is building data centers in regions with water scarcity, such as California, Virginia, and the Southwest.
Experts recommend building more data centers in Midwestern states like Texas, Montana, Nebraska, and South Dakota for better environmental impact.
- Who
- Data center operators and researchers
- What
- Building data centers in suboptimal climate locations
- When
- As of October 2025
- Where
- Worldwide, with notable issues in the US, Singapore, and other countries
- Why
- To support AI expansion, but with environmental and efficiency concerns
- Total Operational Data Centers
- 8,808
- Optimal Temperature Range
- 64.4°F to 80.6°F (18°C to 27°C)
- Data Centers in Optimal Range
- Less than 10%
- Countries with All Data Centers Too Hot
- 21 (e.g., Singapore, Thailand, Nigeria, UAE)
- Countries with All Data Centers Too Cold
- Norway, South Korea, nearly all in Japan
- Optimal US States for Data Centers
- Texas, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota
- Potential Emissions Reduction
- Up to 73%
- Potential Water Footprint Reduction
- Up to 86%