The EU is asking households to cut electricity use during peak hours because AI data centres are straining the grid

The European Commission has urged households across the bloc to cut electricity use during peak hours, citing the rapid expansion of AI data centres, rising electrification, and growing digital infrastructure as key factors straining European power grids. The Commission also released a Data Centre Energy Efficiency Package on 3 June to address the demand. The request highlights the mounting pressure on energy systems from the accelerating deployment of artificial intelligence technologies.