Brussels, 11 December 2025
The European Data Centre Association (EUDCA) yesterday welcomed representatives from the European Commission, national ministries, industry leaders and national trade associations to the Second Roundtable on Data Centre Energy Efficiency in Brussels. The meeting comes at a pivotal moment as the Commission prepares the Data Centre Energy Efficiency Package for Q1 2026, including the Delegated Regulation establishing the EU Data Centre Rating Scheme.
With the sector approaching its third reporting cycle under the Energy Efficiency Directive (May 2026), participants reflected on lessons learned from the first two years of reporting and discussed how the upcoming Rating Scheme can build a more effective, coherent framework.
Discussions focused on several key priorities:
• Achieving harmonised implementation of the EED across Member States
• Addressing data gaps and ensuring appropriate protections for commercially sensitive information
• Developing metrics that are technically robust, proportionate and future-proof
• Focusing on simplification and ensuring alignment between the rating scheme on national and European regulations.
Across all topics, participants underscored the importance of close cooperation between policymakers and industry to create a level playing field and deliver a framework that supports meaningful sustainability improvements while remaining practical for operators.
As Michael Winterson, Secretary General of EUDCA, noted:
“Data centres power Europe’s digital economy, and efficiency is in our DNA. We support smart, harmonised regulation — but success depends on genuine partnership. Industry, the Commission and Member States must work together to build a transparent, practical framework that drives sustainability while enabling Europe’s digital future.”
EUDCA will continue working with the Commission and national authorities as the Delegated Regulation is finalised and as operators prepare for the next reporting cycle. Strengthening transparency, efficiency and sustainability across Europe’s digital infrastructure remains a shared priority.
