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How to make data centers less thirsty: Build them near wind and solar energy

WBUR | By Here & Now Newsroom
Published November 26, 2025 at 8:55 AM PST
An entrance to the Stargate artificial intelligence data center complex in Abilene, Texas on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025. (Matt O'Brien/AP)
Matt O'Brien/AP
An entrance to the Stargate artificial intelligence data center complex in Abilene, Texas on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025. (Matt O'Brien/AP)

The data centers needed to power artificial intelligence are notoriously thirsty for electricity and water to keep them from overheating. But data centers’ direct water usage pales in comparison to that of most legacy power plants.

Here & Now‘s Deb Becker speaks with Grist’s Naveena Sadasivam about ways to mitigate water usage.

This article was originally published on WBUR.org.

Copyright 2025 WBUR
Here & Now Newsroom