Thu, 28 Aug 2025

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 Thirsty data centres boom in drought-hit Mexico

Activists in Querétaro criticise state government for prioritising the data processing needs for US tech firms over their own citizens

* Querétaro, Mexico, is a hub for data centers due to its strategic location, proximity to Mexico City, and high-speed data cables.
* The state is home to companies like Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, ODATA, and Ascenty, with more than $10 billion in investment expected over the next decade.
* Data centers require large amounts of water for cooling systems, with some using up to 25.5 million liters per year, raising concerns about water consumption in a region already affected by droughts.
* Residents have asked authorities for transparency and information about data center operations and water usage, but have not received satisfactory answers.
* Water activist groups are concerned that private industries are being prioritized over human needs, and that the state's water policy has been compromised by conflicts of interest.
* Data centers also release pollutants through diesel backup generators, contributing to air pollution concerns in the region.
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