INFRASTRUCTURE
cost locations where large power supplies are accessible. Inference facilities need to be close to end users, driving a predicted return to urban development.
Net-zero considerations The environmental implications of AI-driven data centre growth are among the industry’ s most contentious debates. Utilities in several markets have kept fossil fuel power plants running specifically to meet surging demand from data centres – a direct tension with the sector’ s net-zero commitments.
Alex is direct about his company’ s position. NTT Global Data Centers has committed to net zero within its data centres by 2030, within offices by 2035 and across its supply chain by 2040.
“ It’ s not just a sustainability consideration,” says Alex.“ It’ s an economic consideration as well. It underpins commercial deals and also our values as a business.” Lonnie takes a broader view, arguing that regulation will ultimately determine how – and where – AI infrastructure lands. Countries and regions are already diverging in their approaches, creating what he describes as a landscape of haves and have-nots.
The water‘ myth’ Water use is another area where public perception and industry reality are frequently at odds. Jean-Francois pushes back firmly on the idea that data centres are depleting community water supplies.
“THE RULES HAVE BEEN REWRITTEN AND CONTINUE TO BE REWRITTEN EVERY THREE MONTHS”
Alex Bennett Global Strategy Realisation and Transformation Director NTT Global Data Centers
“ Data centres fixed the water utilisation problem years ago,” he argues,“ Nobody stops their car every 20 miles to add water to the engine, because you have a closed-loop system. That’ s what we do in data centres.”
Jamie agrees, pointing to on-campus water storage, private water supplies and grey water harvesting as standard practice on modern large-scale campuses.
“ I genuinely think it’ s one of those myths that are out there in the industry,” he adds.“ Anyone in the large-scale campus business knows it isn’ t a design problem anymore.”
58 June 2026