Data centre plans will exacerbate Chile's water issues

Significance

This is part of Chile’s plan to diversify its economy and become a regional digital hub. However, local communities are increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of data centres’ significant water use, particularly as a 14-year megadrought continues to increase water stress in much of Chile.

Impacts

• Chile’s existing system of water governance prevents the kind of wide-ranging action necessary to improve the situation.
• Overexploitation of water resources will increase the risk of wildfires such as those which killed more than 130 people in February.
• Increased contamination of water sources will add to ecological damage and biodiversity loss.
• Data centres add to carbon emissions, which could complicate Chile’s efforts to meet its commitments under the Paris Agreement.