The rapid expansion of data centres in the US has sparked numerous protests and blocked projects, driven by concerns over environmental impact, rising energy costs, and local disruptions. In contrast, Asia, including key hubs like Hong Kong and Singapore, has so far escaped similar public unrest despite accelerating buildout, highlighting different regional dynamics in data infrastructure development.
- US data centre projects face $130B in delays amid local protests
- Asia’s hubs leverage concentrated buildout and legacy infrastructure
- Environmental and energy sustainability remain urgent concerns
What happened
In 2026, the US witnessed a surge in public opposition to the rapid construction of data centres, with over 140 protests occurring on a single day across dozens of states. This backlash has resulted in numerous delays and the blocking of roughly 75 projects valued at approximately $130 billion. Community worries center on increasing home electricity bills, environmental degradation, noise pollution, property value declines, and rising local taxes.
Conversely, similar levels of protest or disruption have not emerged in Asia despite the region's growing number of data centres, particularly in digital hubs like Hong Kong and Singapore. These centers are key to Asia's ongoing digital infrastructure expansion and benefit from their historical role as trans-Pacific internet cable landing points, which helped anchor the early digital economy.
Why it matters
The stark contrast in public reactions reflects both the geographic concentration of data centre investments and varying stages of market maturity. In the US and parts of Europe, data centres heavily cluster in specific states or countries where local residents feel the brunt of environmental and economic impacts, fueling opposition. By contrast, Asia’s infrastructure is more narrowly concentrated and still expanding from a relatively smaller base, which may diffuse immediate concerns.
Moreover, energy and water consumption associated with large-scale data centres pose significant challenges worldwide. For example, data centres in the US are projected to consume water used by hundreds of thousands of households by 2028, and in Ireland, data centres already use nearly a quarter of the national electricity supply. These consumption patterns highlight the urgent need for integrating sustainable power solutions and efficient resource management wherever data infrastructure grows.
What to watch next
In Asia, future data centre expansions, such as upcoming projects in Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis, will increasingly pressure local energy grids and natural resources. Hong Kong’s current electricity generation remains heavily dependent on fossil fuels, a fact that clashes with calls for greener infrastructure. The region’s ability to source cleaner energy from the Chinese mainland and enforce responsible environmental standards will be critical.
Additionally, the push for responsible AI infrastructure guided by principles of transparency, environmental justice, and global cooperation will shape how data centre ecosystems develop. Governments and industry stakeholders must balance rapid technological growth with community concerns and sustainability imperatives to avoid growing opposition like that seen in the West.