Uptime Institute Global Data Center Survey 2024 (14th annual) - press release

Overview

This document is the press release announcing the results of Uptime Institute's 2024 Global Data Center Survey. The survey rests on 879 end-user responses gathered online and by email during the first half of 2024. It is best read as an annual reference point showing where the industry is heading: average rack density, energy efficiency and where workloads actually run.

One of the most striking findings concerns density. Average server rack density is rising but remains below 8 kW, and most facilities have no racks above 30 kW. According to a citation Uptime made in 2025, only about 1% of operators report racks exceeding 100 kW. While debate over AI-driven density continues, the average reality in the field is far more modest.

On energy efficiency, average PUE has stayed largely flat for a fifth consecutive year, which means industry-wide efficiency gains have stalled. On workload placement, 55% of workloads now run off-premises, in cloud or colocation environments. This indicates that the share of enterprise on-site data centres is shrinking and that design demand is shifting toward colocation and hyperscale operators.

On reporting, fewer than half of respondents track the metrics needed for sustainability and regulatory reporting, pointing to a measurement gap ahead of new regulation. As a limitation, the document is a press release: a 14-page executive summary is public, while the 31-page full report is for members only.

Key points

1. Responses came from 879 end users, collected online and by email in the first half of 2024.
2. Average server rack density is increasing but stays below 8 kW.
3. Most facilities have no racks above 30 kW.
4. As cited by Uptime in 2025, about 1% of operators report racks exceeding 100 kW.
5. 55% of workloads are now off-premises.
6. Average PUE has been mostly flat for the fifth consecutive year.
7. Fewer than half of respondents track the metrics needed for sustainability and regulatory reporting.

Using it in design

• Compare the design rack density with the industry distribution; treat values above 30 kW as far above norms and trigger liquid-cooling and floor-loading checks.
• Set target PUE realistically, bearing in mind that the industry average has not moved for years.
• Plan the metering points needed for sustainability and regulatory reporting at design stage.

Who should read it

Data centre planners, investment decision makers and engineers who want to benchmark design density against industry averages.

Publication details

Authors

Uptime Institute; D. Donnellan; A. Lawrence; D. Bizo; P. Judge; J. O'Brien; J. Davis; M. Smolaks; J. Williams-George; R. Weinschenk

Publisher

Uptime Institute

Year

2024

Document language

English

Source type

Industry body

Access

Free to read

Licence

Copyright retained; citation only — the publisher’s terms apply to the original document

Citation