The Global and South Korean Data Center Landscape
With the exponential rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and big data, data centers have become the critical backbone of the modern digital economy. However, their rapid expansion demands unprecedented amounts of power and water, creating severe environmental challenges and putting pressure on local utility grids worldwide.
South Korea, positioned as a key IT hub in the Asia-Pacific region, is experiencing a boom in data center developments. Yet, the domestic market faces growing hurdles: regional power grid congestion, water supply concerns for cooling, and mounting regulatory or community opposition over environmental impacts. For data center operators, embedding sustainability into their core operations is no longer optional—it is essential for securing permits, maintaining operational resilience, and achieving long-term growth.
Veolia's Answer: Launching 'Data Center Resource 360'
Addressing these critical challenges, Veolia launched in April a comprehensive global offer for data centers: Data Center Resource 360. This next-generation integrated solution is engineered to tackle environmental and operational hurdles in the digital infrastructure sector while enhancing local community resilience and resource security.
Industry Bottlenecks and a $5 Billion Market Opportunity Driven by digital expansion, global data center capacity is projected to grow by approximately 11% annually through 2034. However, nearly half of all planned or under-construction facilities face potential permitting delays or restrictions due to concerns over water consumption, energy use, and local resource constraints.
As environmental security becomes a key strategic issue, the market for integrated sustainability solutions for data centers is expanding rapidly, estimated to reach $5 billion annually by 2030.
An Integrated 'All-in-One' Solution Powered by Global Expertise
Already partnering with the top 10 global data center operators across more than 100 facilities, Veolia leverages its proprietary technologies in water, waste, and energy management to deliver a market-leading response. ‘Data Center Resource 360’ rapidly transforms facilities into carbon-neutral, water-positive, circular hubs.
- Towards Carbon Neutrality (Up to +20% Energy Reuse Efficiency): By capturing and recovering waste heat, Veolia transforms data centers into local heat providers for communities and industries, improving energy resilience and anticipating future European regulations. Electrical flexibility and backup services further optimize power grid stability.
- Water-Positive Operations (Up to -75% Water Footprint): From initial audits to advanced water treatment and replenishment projects, Veolia reduces water risks and costs while safeguarding local ecosystems.
- Circular Economy Models (Up to 95% Waste Recycling & Reuse): Integrated management across all waste streams turns operational waste back into valuable resources, lowering environmental footprints and enhancing local resource security.
- AI-Powered Predictive Optimization: Through Hubgrade, Veolia’s digital platform incorporating AI and predictive analytics, water consumption, energy performance, and critical maintenance are monitored and optimized in real time.
Case study: Sustainable cost-saving water treatment solution to a data centre in the southeast of England
Challenges
Water cooling systems are a popular choice for maintaining stable internal temperatures and optimal functionality, but this requires large amounts of water, increasing both environmental impact and operating costs.
Solutions
By recovering and treating discharged water, it overcomes the limitation of being located in the city center, achieving both minimized environmental impact and cost reduction through reduced water consumption.
Case study: Energy Efficiency & Reliability at Polaris Data Center, Queensland, Australia
Challenges
Designed to remain operational even in instances of maintenance and outages (limited to 72 hours), highlighting its importance to customers as well as its energy-intensive operational needs.
Solutions
Focused on creating greater energy efficiency through improved power usage effectiveness (PUE) and enhanced ICT sustainability through multi technical asset management solutions.
- Energy efficiency through multi technical asset management and cost control as a result of energy efficiency
- Improved asset longevity through proactive maintenance
- Operating risk mitigation with Veolia’s demonstrated ability to manage high technical-risk assets.
Accelerating Strategic Adoption and Ecological Transformation
Fully aligned with Veolia’s GreenUp strategic plan to accelerate ecological transformation, this new offer turns environmental challenges into opportunities. Estelle Brachlianoff, CEO of Veolia, highlighted:
At a time when environmental security has become a geostrategic issue, and access to key resources such as water and energy is increasingly critical, helping operators make data centers more resource-efficient, resilient and connected to their communities is essential. We are proud to be the first and only company delivering a truly global, integrated and circular solution for data centers. We can help turn these infrastructures into true allies of local communities, delivering environmental value with digital performance.
Targeting key growth regions like the United States and Europe (Germany, UK, France)—where development velocity and environmental standards are highest—Veolia continues to pioneer sustainable solutions that power the future of the digital world.
Interested in differentiated solutions based on Veolia’s unique proprietary technology portfolio in water, waste, and energy management? Explore AI-based carbon-neutral solutions based on expert diagnosis.