AI’s Soaring Water and Energy Demands Drive Urgency for Smart Cooling Solutions, Says Ecolab
SHERIDAN, WYOMING – June 10, 2025 – As artificial intelligence reshapes modern industry, the rapid expansion of data centers is placing unprecedented stress on water resources and energy grids. Ecolab is calling for immediate adoption of smart water management and cooling efficiency strategies to ensure sustainable and scalable operations across the tech sector.
Driven by explosive demand for compute power, U.S. data center energy usage is forecasted to more than triple — from 25 GW in 2024 to over 80 GW by 2030, according to McKinsey. While AI’s digital transformation is widely celebrated, its physical footprint — including water consumption for cooling — remains largely unrecognized outside the tech industry.
Cooling Efficiency Is Critical to Sustainable Growth