Aragon, a region in northeastern Spain known for its fertile lands of cornfields, peach farms, and cherry orchards, is entering a contentious struggle over its increasingly scarce water resources. Now major technology companies, most notably Microsoft and Amazon, are plowing billions into locating their data centers in this increasingly water stressed territory. As Europe experiences heightened drought conditions, the burgeoning data center industry adds to the already precarious balance between agricultural needs and technological expansion.
In 2024, the European data center industry used between 40 and 82 million cubic meters of water. That’s enough to fill nearly 24,000 Olympic swimming pools! Direct water consumption already is projected to reach 90 million cubic meters by 2030. This forecast begs alarming predictions for areas such as Aragon. Agricultural activists and local farmers have raised their voices. They argue that the recent boom of tech companies puts their livelihoods at risk and compounds a potential water crisis coming down the pipeline.
The Strain of Water Consumption
Data centers use a huge amount of water for evaporative cooling systems, an increasingly important factor in keeping these data centers in their best possible operating conditions. In areas such as Aragon, where access to fresh water is already a coveted luxury, this increase only further exacerbates the fight for dwindling assets.
Kevin Grecksch, a water resource management specialist with SIU’s Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant Program, highlighted the unsustainable nature of those practices. He said, “You have a finite supply of water. Yet even Roth pointed to a major misconception when it comes to water use and how quickly it can be replaced. Grecksch bluntedly dismissed the notion that data centers could offset their water consumption with restoration projects. He further called this belief “completely wrong” and “a fundamental misunderstanding of the basic science.”
As technology firms seek locations that offer low humidity and ample land, ideal conditions for running data centers, regions like Aragon become increasingly attractive despite their water scarcity. This investment has created important, pressing questions around the long-term sustainability of these kinds of investments in places already burdened by ecological injustice.
Local Backlash Against Big Tech
Yet the regional government of Aragon is standing firm, placing the onus on companies to strictly limit water use. They constantly reassure the public that new regulations will adequately prevent any possible adverse environmental effects. Activists counter that this announcement is nothing but greenwashing, hiding undercurrents of an ongoing fight over the city’s approach to managing a precious resource — water.
Aurora Gómez, a prominent activist leading a campaign for a moratorium on new data centers in Spain, expressed her frustration with the government’s assurances. She further contended that local residents have not been served through the city’s historic tech investments. Foreign capital inevitably brings plunder and devastation. The farmer and the people in the towns and cities never win or profit from it,” she stated.
Gómez’s campaign, named “Tu Nube Seca Mi Río,” or “your cloud is drying up my river,” is not the first of its kind. It’s an effort that seeks to highlight the ways that tech companies are undermining local ecosystems. She also highlighted that Amazon likes to boast about being water positive. At the same time, they are asking for 48 percent more water in Spain to grow their datacenters there.
Agricultural Concerns Amidst Corporate Expansion
Farmers in Aragon have become highly concerned with how data centers are harming their livelihoods and businesses. As local farmer Chechu Sánchez de la Vega remarked about the program, “In the end the farmer never wins.” He expressed fears that as these tech behemoths increase their commercial interests, agricultural concerns will be brushed aside.
The current situation in Aragon reflects broader tensions across Europe as more regions face challenges related to water scarcity due to climate change. Droughts are occurring with increased frequency, and when they do, they’re destroying sensitive soil health. This both jeopardizes agricultural productivity and adds unnecessary supply chain complexity for regional growers.
José Luis Montero, a regional representative, argued that the issue of where these data centers are sited needs to be addressed. Essentially, he said in so many words, “We think this place deserves a second look.” He noted that more sustainable practices are needed in these technology investments immediately.
Georgios Stassis, a data center industry veteran and specialist, emphasized some promising new developments in cooling technology. These building-based improvements would save more water than the entire state uses today—at least 30–40 percent. Activists are still doubtful that these developments will be approved in time to stop a looming disaster.
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