China’s thirsty data centres and the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) could dramatically increase demand on the country’s water resources, according to a new report by think tank China Water Risk.

The Hong Kong-based non-profit estimated the annual water consumption of data centres in China to be around 1.3 billion cubic metres (343 billion gallons) – enough for residential use for 26 million people. By 2030, the figure could reach over 3 billion cubic metres as more data facilities are expected to open, equivalent to the demand of a population greater than that of South Korea.