AI Data Centres Linked to Local Temperature Increases, Studies Find

Recent scientific studies have identified a pattern of local temperature increases around AI data centres, with researchers estimating measurable warming in areas near these facilities.

A study pending peer review estimates that AI data centres raise surrounding land surface temperatures by approximately 2 °C on average, creating what researchers call the “data heat island effect.” The same study suggests that more than 340 million people could be impacted by these localized temperature changes near such centres.

Researchers from Arizona State University conducted mobile temperature measurements in the Phoenix area and found that neighbourhoods downwind of data centres experienced warming of several degrees Fahrenheit. These findings indicate that the presence of data centres can influence microclimates in nearby communities, particularly in urban settings.

Data centres are often located in clusters, and local observations report that these clusters can increase nearby air temperatures by 5–10 °F (about 2.8–5.6 °C), especially during nighttime hours. These effects are more pronounced in regions where multiple data centres operate in close proximity.

What the numbers show

• AI data centres increase local land temperatures by about 2 °C on average
• More than 340 million people could be affected globally by these temperature changes
• Data centres used about 1.5% of the world’s electricity in 2024
• Roughly 8,808 data centres were operational worldwide as of late 2025
• Nearly 7,000 data centres are located outside the optimal 18–27 °C climate range

According to the International Energy Agency, data centres consumed approximately 1.5% of global electricity in 2024. The majority of the world’s data centres—nearly 7,000 out of about 8,808—are situated in climates that fall outside the optimal temperature range for such facilities, with around 600 located in areas exceeding the upper recommended limit.

Epidemiological research cited by the Arizona State University study states that during heat waves, each 1 °F increase in temperature is associated with a 2.5% rise in the risk of death. This connection highlights the potential public health considerations in regions affected by the data heat island effect.

As the number of data centres continues to grow, their influence on local climates has become a subject of ongoing research. The observed temperature increases are most notable in areas with high concentrations of data centres, and the effects can extend to residential neighbourhoods located downwind of these facilities.

Further studies are underway to better understand the broader environmental and health implications of the data heat island effect, as well as to inform future planning and management of data centre locations.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.