Alphabet’s Google and Microsoft are reportedly refusing to disclose energy consumption data for their data centers in the Netherlands. The companies submitted blank forms or provided no data to Dutch authorities, putting them in potential conflict with new European Union transparency regulations.
This refusal challenges the EU’s European Energy Efficiency Directive (EED). The EED mandates that data centers exceeding 500kW of IT capacity must report their energy and water usage to national authorities. Google cited "business confidentiality, as stipulated in the European directive" as its reason for withholding the information.
Compliance with the new rule has been limited so far. While the Dutch government currently lacks the legal means to compel the companies to provide the figures, authorities have indicated the information will be required for the 2025 reporting period.