How are NZ data centres leading the world in energy efficiency?

As the world becomes more digital, demand for fast, secure, and sustainable data services is booming. Here in Aotearoa New Zealand, our data centres are not only keeping pace , they’re setting a global standard for energy efficiency and driving fresh investment in renewable energy.

Leading the world in efficiency
New Zealand’s data centres are among the most energy efficient on the planet. On average, they operate at a Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of just 1.3. This is well below the global average of 1.54.

What does this mean? For every unit of energy used to power computing, almost none is wasted on overhead like cooling and backup systems. Modern facilities use clever design, advanced cooling (drawing on our naturally cool climate), and smart monitoring to slash unnecessary energy use.

These efficiency gains are more than just a tech achievement – they mean lower costs for businesses, less strain on our electricity grid, and a smaller carbon footprint for all the digital services we rely on.

Catalysts for renewable energy growth
But the story gets even better. As data centre demand grows, so does the need for clean, reliable electricity. That’s why our sector is partnering directly with renewable energy generators, securing Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) that guarantee new wind, solar and geothermal projects get built. These investments don’t just keep our data green, they also help accelerate the entire country’s transition to a low-carbon electricity grid.

In practice, this means new wind farms turning on to power cloud computing, solar supporting digital services, and geothermal projects providing steady, renewable energy. Every new data centre helps make more clean energy possible for everyone.

A blueprint for our future
By championing energy efficiency and investing in renewables, New Zealand’s data centres are proving that digital growth and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand. It’s a win-win for our economy, our climate, and our people. Dive into NZTech’s latest report to see how local innovation is powering a sustainable digital future: Empowering Aotearoa New Zealand’s Digital Future – Our National Data Centre Infrastructure.