Nearly 7,000 of the world’s 8,808 data centers are built in the wrong climate, analysis find — vast majority located outside optimal temperature range for cooling, 600 in locations considered too hot

Nearly 7,000 out of 8,808 operational data centers globally are situated in climates that are not ideal for efficient operation, with 600 in locations considered too hot. A study mapping data center locations against long-term climate data reveals that economic and network factors often override environmental suitability when choosing where to build. The majority of data centers are outside the recommended temperature range, with some countries like Singapore, Thailand, Nigeria, and the UAE having all operational data centers in zones classified as too hot. As demand for data centers rises, particularly in hot regions, factors like power availability, water supply, land prices, and local regulations play a significant role in determining their locations.