The data-centre boom could save €196 billion (about $229 billion) — if it picks the flexible engine over the gas giant

Data centres are about to triple in number, and how they are powered is a fork in the road. A new study from Finland's Wärtsilä models powering 55 gigawatts of off-grid data centres with flexible engines rather than large gas turbines: over 20 years it could save €196 billion (about $229 billion), use 99.97% less water, and spare land equal to about 2,200 football pitches. The study also notes that waste heat from data centres, fed into district heating, could meet around 10% of Europe's space-heating demand. These are modelled savings, not banked ones — the choices are still being made, which is exactly why the study matters now.

SDG 7 · Affordable and clean energy