Data center electricity cost: PUE, contract and tax breakdown
75% of an AI data center's OPEX is electricity. Here are the 5 components of the price paid and how each one is negotiated.
The single-price myth
No data center pays one single €/MWh. The final bill stacks 5 layers.
Layer 1 — Energy (45–60% of total)
The PPA or market contract. In surplus zones: €45–60/MWh. In tight zones (Île-de-France in winter): up to €180/MWh on spot.
Layer 2 — Transmission (15–25%)
TURPE in France, Use of System charges in the UK. Unavoidable, but varies with connection voltage (HTB1, HTB2, HTB3). HTB3 connection saves €8–14/MWh.
Layer 3 — Taxes (8–15%)
CSPE in France, EEG-Umlage in Germany (removed in 2022 but other taxes took over). Data centers >7 GWh/year can secure partial exemptions.
Layer 4 — PUE (5–15%)
Power Usage Effectiveness multiplies IT cost by 1.1 to 1.8 depending on cooling. A liquid-cooled center at PUE 1.15 vs air-cooled at 1.5 saves ~22% on the total bill.
Layer 5 — Risk hedging (3–8%)
Spot hedging, collars, call options. Often neglected then brutally felt during a tight winter (see 2022).
The Voltarione lever
Our simulator recalculates all 5 layers per country, voltage, PUE and proposed PPA strategy. Output: an all-in €/MWh cost comparable across 30 countries and 5 contract structures.
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