Do AI data centres create heat islands? New study says they cool the area

Do AI data centres make nearby areas hotter? New satellite research found limited nighttime warming and cooler daytime ground temperatures around facilities in Japan.A technician works at an AI data center. (Photo: AP)New Delhi,Nov 11, 2026 15:31 ISTAs artificial intelligence drives a global rush to build massive data centers, concerns have grown that these facilities could be heating up the surrounding neighbourhoods.Previous research has suggested that temperatures near AI data centers could rise significantly, affecting millions of people.But now, a new study has challenged the idea that these facilities create widespread heat islands, raising questions about how their environmental impact should be measured. In this aerial photo, an Amazon data center is under construction. (Photo: AP) Published in the journal Environmental Research Letters on November 4, the study analysed 13 years of satellite observations around 12 data centers in Japan, and found that modern data center roofs actually lowered surrounding ground temperatures by 1.8 to 2.2 degrees Celsius during the day. At night, when servers release heat, the warming of the ground remained below 0.3 degrees Celsius across the wider cluster.The findings suggest that the heat released by servers may not be enough to create the large, neighbourhood-wide temperature increases reported in some earlier research. A banner is displayed during a protest against AI data centers in London. (Photo: AP) WHAT IS A HEAT ISLAND?A heat island forms when an area becomes warmer than its surroundings.In cities, roads, concrete buildings and rooftops absorb sunlight and hold on to heat, while fewer trees and green spaces mean less natural cooling.Data centers could add to this effect because thousands of powerful computers run continuously, releasing heat that cooling systems push outside. A sign displays a temperature of 37 degrees Celsius, signalling a heatwave. (Photo: AP) The concern is that concentrated heat from these facilities could raise temperatures in nearby residential areas.A study published in March 2026 estimated that land temperatures around AI data centers rose by an average of 2 degrees Celsius, with more than 34 crore people potentially exposed to the effect worldwide.THE DEBATE IS NOT YET OVERThe latest study does not establish that data centers have no local heating impact.Its satellite observations mainly measured ground-surface temperatures, not the air people breathe. It also focused on 12 facilities in Japan, meaning the findings may not apply everywhere. People attend a demonstration against AI data centers in Denmark. (Photo: Reuters) A separate study by researchers at Arizona State University, published in May, measured air temperatures around four data centers in Phoenix, United States. It found that areas downwind were up to 2.2 degrees Celsius warmer, with the effect detectable as far as 500 metres away.Meanwhile, the environmental concerns surrounding data centers extend beyond heat.The International Energy Agency (IEA) said that global electricity consumption by data centers rose 17% in 2025, while AI-focused facilities saw an even steeper rise. Their demand for electricity and water, along with emissions from the power used to run them, remains a growing concern.Researchers added that more local temperature measurements, long-term monitoring and checks before and after construction are needed to understand the full impact.As AI infrastructure expands, better evidence will be essential to ensure that technological growth does not come at the expense of communities and the environment.- Ends