Data centres can use Direct Air Capture (DAC) to decarbonise, while DAC can use the waste heat from the data centres to power the CO₂ capture process.
The Challenges Facing Data Centres
Globally, data centres consume astronomical amounts of energy and emit millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2).
Data Centres’ Power Consumption from Cooling
The energy demand from cooling and IT systems’ 24/7 operations make data centres energy intensive. At the current rate of growth, data centre energy use globally could double by 2030. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), data centres world-wide will consume over 1000TWh of electricity in 2026, contributing to substantial CO₂ emissions. And renewable energy is insufficient and not consistent enough to completely power a data centre which means fossil fuels are still in the picture.
Carbon Emissions from High Energy Usage
Since data centres still rely heavily on the grid, carbon emissions relating to data centres continue to rise. As it stands, data centres emissions are expected to be in the region of 2.5 billion tonnes through 2030.
Potentially High Water Usage
Data centres that use cooling towers and evaporative cooling have a high water usage.
Complying with the EU Energy Efficiency Directive (EED)
The EED has a mandate on waste heat usage by data centres, with Germany leading the way in writing this into it’s national law. Data centres with a total rated energy input exceeding 1 MW must prepare to utilise waste heat or other waste heat recovery applications or provide justification if it is not technically or economically feasible.
How Direct Air Capture and Data Centres can Work Together
NEG8’s DAC can address each of the challenges above.
Both data centres and DAC facilities are looking to low-carbon energy sources to reduce their environmental impact, but renewable capacity remains limited. This situation highlights the need for innovative approaches.
Waste Heat from Data Centres Used to Power Direct Air Capture
One solution is integrating DAC systems into data centre sites.
To function effectively, DAC systems require energy (see How Does Direct Air Capture Work?). On the other hand, data centres are considerable generators of heat. By using the low-grade waste heat from data centres to power DAC technology, the two industries could coexist more sustainably.
This collaboration would maximise energy efficiency and the DAC-captured CO₂ would reduce the data centres’ overall emissions. In the end, this symbiotic relationship would lower the environmental footprint of both industries.
For more, see: Direct Air Capture Use Cases Using Waste Heat
Water Harvesting and Cooling as Additional Benefits
Some DAC processes, such as NEG8 Carbon’s DAC technology, produce pure water as a by-product of the carbon capture process. So instead of consuming water, the DAC system produces it.
Furthermore, NEG8’s technology offers the additional benefit of cooling for the data centre in the same DAC system that captures the carbon dioxide. This reduces the high energy consumption associated with cooling.
Data Centres in Ireland
Ireland has over 80 data centres, with most located around Dublin, which has become one of Europe’s largest data centre hubs due to strong connectivity, a skilled workforce, and the presence of major technology companies. With the surge in demand for processing power from the AI revolution, the need for data centres will continue to grow.
However, the sector places a heavy demand on national infrastructure, with data centres accounting for about 22% of Ireland’s electricity consumption in 2024, leading to policy and grid capacity concerns. By 2030, electricity use from data centres could reach a third of the national electricity demand. Furthermore, the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) announced in 2025 that data centres could be built where they meet at least 80% of their annual energy demand through new renewable electricity sources.
On the other hand, data centres have contributed billions of euros into the Irish economy, directly and indirectly.
Final Thoughts
Data centres are well aware of the heavy emissions burden they carry, and the hyperscale players like Google, Microsoft, Meta and Amazon have all voiced their commitment to dealing with this issue.
For example, in July 2025 Microsoft announced in its sustainability report that it had started powering DAC technology with waste heat from its data centres in its DACinDC project as a “pathway for addressing the CO₂ footprint of AI workloads.”
The growing demand for data centres reflects our reliance on digital services, and this dependence is unlikely to wane. Collaboration between industries, supported by robust policy frameworks, can set a course for a more sustainable future. By balancing the needs of data centres and DAC projects, we can create a model where technology and environmental stewardship go hand in hand.
For more:
- What is Direct Air Capture?
- How Does CO₂ Cause Climate Change?
- Decarbonising Construction by Storing CO2 in Concrete
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
- Industrial Decarbonisation with Direct Air Capture