from Hacker News

Anger mounts over environmental cost of Google datacentre in Uruguay

by racional on 8/1/24, 2:16 PM with 7 comments

  • by toomuchtodo on 8/1/24, 3:15 PM

    > A Google spokesperson said: “We’ve engaged extensively with local authorities, community members and local leadership to share the project details and follow the regulatory process to secure all the necessary permits.”

    > The spokesperson added: “Once built, the datacentre will operate within the standards approved by the local authorities, and it will be part of Google’s longstanding commitment to sustainability across areas such as accelerating the transition to a net zero future and innovating to run the most efficient infrastructure.”

    https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/07/googles-greenhouse-g...

    > Google’s greenhouse gas emissions have surged 48 percent in the past five years due to the expansion of its data centers that underpin artificial intelligence systems, leaving its commitment to get to “net zero” by 2030 in doubt.

    > Chief Sustainability Officer Kate Brandt said the company remained committed to the 2030 target but stressed the “extremely ambitious” nature of the goal.

  • by boringg on 8/1/24, 3:24 PM

    It sounds like local efforts are using the lack of taxes being paid to be the reason for uproar. Low CO2e energy and no longer using water for cooling is a win.

    I don't know how they got the air conditioning to 25T of CO2e / year but I have to assume thats based on an anticipated refrigerant leak (high CO2e equivalent).

    I'm all for local sites getting benefits so they should get them though I bet whoever put the deal together is taking them for themselves.

  • by sva_ on 8/1/24, 3:20 PM

    Building a datacenter in a tax-free zone within a country that produces up to 90% of its electricity from renewables seems like a jackpot for Google, considering their goal of lowering their carbon emissions. I don't really see how it benefits the people of Uruguay though, except for a few jobs? Maybe they'll invest in fiber?

  • by einpoklum on 8/1/24, 3:20 PM

    Do you remember the Melnorme in Star Control 2? At some point, they warn you about trading with the Druuge. "There are hidden costs! Secret tariffs!"

    https://wiki.uqm.stack.nl/Melnorme