China stands as one of the world’s largest data center markets, boasting an IT capacity exceeding 3GW. The rapid expansion of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) is set to further drive this market’s growth. To manage this expansion effectively and reduce environmental impacts, the Chinese government has introduced a Special Action Plan for the Green and Low-Carbon Development of Data Centers.
According to details shared by China’s Xinhua News Agency, the National Development and Reform Commission announced recently that the plan was issued jointly by China’s National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the National Energy Administration, and the National Data Bureau.
The plan focuses on enhancing sustainability and energy efficiency, with two primary objectives. First, it seeks to optimize the national arrangement of data centers, aiming for a rack utilization rate of at least 60 percent, reducing the average power usage effectiveness (PUE) to 1.5 or below, and boosting renewable energy usage by 10 percent each year by 2025.
Secondly, China intends to achieve internationally advanced standards for the average PUE, energy efficiency, and carbon efficiency of data centers across the country by 2030. The plan also calls for an increased use of renewable energy and a significant enhancement in the waste heat utilization rate of new large-scale data centers located in northern heating regions.
The plan outlines six key tasks aimed at enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of data centers. First, it focuses on improving the layout of data center construction to optimize performance. Second, it mandates strict adherence to energy and water efficiency requirements for new projects. Third, it promotes the transformation of existing projects through energy-saving and carbon-reduction measures. Fourth, the plan emphasizes increasing the utilization of renewable energy sources. Fifth, it aims to strengthen resource conservation and intensive utilization practices. Finally, it encourages the adoption of advanced energy-saving technologies and equipment. These measures collectively aim to ensure that data centers meet international standards for efficiency and sustainability within the set deadlines.