Hyperscalers plan US$725 billion in 2026 capex for GPU campuses, chip contracts, and power deals that determine who can train and serve frontier AI models.
AI data centres globally consume billions of gallons annually for server cooling, triggering water-rights conflicts across the US Southwest, Spain, and other drought-stressed regions.
full dossier ›A developer sues the Imperial Irrigation District for ~260m gallons/yr from the drought-stricken river, one of a wave of suits, wells and settlements over data-center thirst
After the council rejected the Amazon-linked complex over desert water use, the city revoked a meter for improper use; Arizona regulators still cleared two project wells
Meta's Talavera site would draw ~504m litres/yr mostly from the Tagus; Amazon seeks a 48% water rise in Aragón; Lleida banned data centers as drought collides with the AI build