[사설] 데이터센터 속도전에 빅테크 ‘임대기지’ 우려 커진다

Recently, a concern has emerged regarding the rapid expansion of AI data centers in Korea, which could potentially become a "data center leasing ground" for global tech giants. This worry intensifies as global anti-data center voices and regulatory movements intensify worldwide. According to a report by Haneul Kyunghyang, Ireland, a "European data center hub" for US tech giants, restricted the connection of new data centers to the power grid by 2028.

Data centers account for 23% of total power consumption, and their increased demand for electricity has led to higher electricity bills for households. Furthermore, Ireland is facing severe water scarcity due to high temperatures and high humidity, with water use being exempt from restrictions for data centers, overburdening citizens.

In the United States, data centers, including 550 locations, are either banned or regulated by various governments and local governments. Meanwhile, China has set a target to meet 80% of its new data center power consumption with renewable energy. Australia has recently announced an "Artificial Intelligence Standard" that requires data center operators to generate power from renewable sources and share the costs of water resource infrastructure.

In contrast, the Korean government plans to build 18.4 gigawatts (GW) of AI data centers by 2035 through its "Three Major Projects." The special law on "AI Data Center Industry Promotion," set to take effect next March, focuses on swift industrial growth, regulatory easing, and support. Despite the high power and water consumption of AI data centers compared to conventional data centers, they have minimal positive impact on local communities.

However, the benefits accrue to companies, while the consequences burden local communities, making this approach undesirable and unsustainable. The government must thoroughly assess the current status of AI data center development and power and water usage before proceeding with hasty expansion and establish international-level standards to enforce environmental responsibility and cost burden on companies.