AI demand means data centres are worsening drought in Mexico

Suzanne BearneTechnology Reporter, Querétaro, MexicoArterra/Getty ImagesQuerétaro is understood for its spectacular stone aqueductLocated in the midst of Mexico, Querétaro is a captivating and vibrant colonial-style metropolis recognized for its dazzling stone aqueduct.However the metropolis, and state of the identical identify, can be recognised for a really totally different purpose – as Mexico’s knowledge centre capital.Throughout the state firms together with Microsoft, Amazon Net Providers and ODATA personal these warehouse-like buildings, stuffed with laptop servers. Nobody may provide a precise quantity, however there are scores of them, with extra being constructed. Ascenty, which claims to be the biggest knowledge centre firm in Latin America, has two in Querétaro, each round 20,000 sq ft in dimension, with a 3rd beneath building.It’s forecast that greater than $10bn (£7.4bn) in knowledge centre-related funding will pour into the state within the subsequent decade.”The demand for AI is accelerating the development of information centres at an unprecedented pace,” says Shaolei Ren, affiliate professor {of electrical} and laptop engineering on the College of California Riverside.So, what is the attraction of Querétaro?”It is a very strategic area,” explains Arturo Bravo, Mexico nation supervisor at Ascenty.”Querétaro is true within the center [of the country], connecting east, west, north and south,” he says.Meaning it’s comparatively near Mexico Metropolis. It’s also linked to high-speed knowledge cables, so massive quantities of information may be shifted shortly. Mr Bravo additionally factors out that there’s help from the municipality and central authorities.”It has been recognized as a know-how hub,” he says. “Each present lots of good options by way of permits, regulation and zoning.”However why are many US firms selecting this state over someplace nearer to house?”The ability grid capability constraint within the US is pushing tech firms to seek out accessible energy anyplace they will,” says Shaolei Ren, affiliate professor {of electrical} and laptop engineering on the College of California Riverside, including that the price of land and power, and business-friendly insurance policies are additionally engaging.Shaolei RenShaolei Ren says US tech corporations are looking for electrical energy availabilityData centres host 1000’s of servers – a specialised kind of laptop for processing and sending knowledge. Anybody that is labored with a pc on their lap will know that they get uncomfortably sizzling. So to cease knowledge centres melting down, elaborate cooling methods are wanted which may use enormous quantities of water.Nevertheless, not all knowledge centres eat water on the identical charge.Some use water evaporation to dissipate the warmth, which works properly however is thirsty.A small knowledge centre utilizing this sort of cooling can use round 25.5 million litres of water per yr.Different knowledge centres, like these owned by Ascenty, use a closed-loop system, which circulates water by means of chillers.In the meantime, Microsoft instructed the BBC it operates three knowledge centres in Querétaro. They use direct out of doors air for cooling roughly 95% of the yr, requiring zero water.It mentioned for the remaining 5% of the yr, when ambient temperatures exceed 29.4°C, they use evaporative cooling.For the fiscal yr 2025, its Querétaro websites used 40 million litres of water, it added.That is nonetheless lots of water. And when you take a look at total consumption on the largest knowledge centre house owners then the numbers are enormous.For instance, in its 2025 sustainability report Google acknowledged that its complete water consumption elevated by 28% to eight.1bn gallons between 2023 to 2024. The report additionally mentioned that 72% of the freshwater it used got here from sources at “low threat of water depletion or shortage”.As well as, knowledge centres additionally not directly eat water, as water is required to supply electrical energy.Getty ImagesData centres home 1000’s of servers which want fixed coolingThe further water consumption by knowledge centres is a giant downside for some in Querétaro which final yr endured the worst drought of a century, impacting crops and water provides to some communities. At her house in Querétaro, activist Teresa Roldán tells me residents have requested the authorities for extra info and transparency concerning the knowledge centres and the water they use however says this has not been forthcoming.”Personal industries are being prioritised in these arid zones,” she says. “We hear that there is going to be 32 knowledge centres however water is what’s wanted for the individuals, not for these industries. They [the municipality] are prioritising giving the water they should the personal trade. Residents aren’t receiving the identical high quality of the water than the water that the trade is receiving.”Talking to the BBC in Querétaro, Claudia Romero Herrara, founding father of water activist organisation Bajo Tierra Museo del Agua,  would not remark straight on the info centres attributable to a lack of awareness however says she’s involved concerning the state’s water points.”This can be a state that’s already going through a disaster that’s so complicated and does not have sufficient water for human disposal. The precedence must be water for fundamental means…that is what we have to assure after which possibly suppose if there are some sources accessible for another financial exercise. There was a battle of curiosity on public water coverage for the final 20 years.”A spokesperson for the federal government of the state of Querétaro defended their choice saying: “We have now at all times mentioned and reiterated that the water is for citizen consumption, not for the trade. The municipality has zero schools to water allocation and even much less to assign water high quality. Nor the state, nor the municipality can water allocate to any trade or the first sector, that is a job for the Nationwide Water Fee.”Suzanne BearneTeresa Roldán says native authorities are placing the water wants of trade firstAnother concern for these dwelling close to knowledge centres is air air pollution.Prof Ren says knowledge centres sometimes depend on diesel backup mills that launch massive quantities of dangerous pollution. “The hazard of diesel pollution from knowledge centres has been properly recognised,” he says, pointing to a well being evaluation of the air high quality surrounding native knowledge centres by the Division of Ecology on the state of Washington.Mr Bravo responded to these issues by saying: “We function beneath the phrases and situations specified by authorities, which, in flip, in my perspective, are those taking good care of the truth that these situations are acceptable for the communities round and the well being of all people.”As for the long run, Ascenty is planning extra knowledge centres within the area.”I do see it simply form of progressing and progressing, with a brand new knowledge centre there each few years,” says Mr Bravo.”The trade will proceed to develop as AI grows. It is a fantastic future by way of what’s coming.”Extra Expertise of Enterprise