San Jose Says City has 20 Data Centers, with 10 More Under Review
The City of San Jose disputes a report claiming 47 data centers in the city, stating there are approximately 20 operational with 10 more under review. Both the city and California Legislature are addressing ways to regulate data center expansion due to concerns over electricity, water, and emissions, with residents demanding a construction moratorium.
The City of San Jose is challenging the accuracy of Data Center Map's global database, which lists 47 data centers in the city. City officials contend that Data Center Map's methodology overstates the number, suggesting double-counting, inclusion of proposed centers, and a lack of precise definitions for what constitutes a distinct facility. The city's own estimate indicates approximately 20 active data center sites and 10 more projects currently under review, with 3 recently approved.
Local residents and climate groups have voiced significant concerns regarding the rapid expansion of data centers, specifically citing potential strain on the electric power grid, excessive water usage, and increased carbon emissions. In response to these concerns, a temporary construction moratorium has been demanded. The City of San Jose has initiated community forums to discuss the issue, and the City Council has committed to beginning policy discussions later this year aimed at regulating data center development.
Furthermore, the California Legislature is also exploring various regulatory measures to manage the dramatic growth of the data center industry across the state, acknowledging a statewide trend of increasing data center infrastructure. Data Center Map, while acknowledging the inherent difficulties in maintaining a perfectly complete database due to a lack of central registration requirements, defends its data collection, stating it sources information from operators, end-users, and external databases globally, tracking facilities with at least 10 cabinets.