Since 2021, this cluster has become a hub of China’s internet infrastructure, hosting data centres operated by major tech companies. Growing appetiteThe electricity use of China’s data centres is expected to increase by 170 per cent between 2024 and 2030, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). One major goal of this initiative is to reduce energy consumption by leveraging western China’s favourable climate and abundant renewable energy. Wang Yongzhen notes that green computing power not only aligns with national strategies but also brings tangible economic benefits to companies. In 2023, only 1.5 million megawatt-hours (MWh) of the 3.8 million MWh green power that was traded involved the certificates.