How Saudi Arabia can balance its AI infrastructure and sustainable water usage

Inside the KAUST Research and Technology Park in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia. Most data centers in the Kingdom use hybrid cooling systems. (KAUST photo)
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Updated 25 April 2025
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How Saudi Arabia can balance its AI infrastructure and sustainable water usage

  • While AI’s energy demands are widely known, its vast and growing water footprint remains largely out of sight
  • Experts urge early-stage planning and water-smart designs to reduce risk and future-proof AI growth in arid climates

RIYADH: Artificial intelligence has opened up remarkable new possibilities — but beneath its sleek, digital surface lies an overlooked environmental cost: Water.

While debates over AI’s energy demands have captured headlines, its vast and growing water footprint remains largely out of sight. That blind spot, experts warn, could carry serious consequences.

Salah Al-Kafrawi, senior consultant at EY for data and AI, told Arab News: “We have no universal approach to assess how much water is consumed while using or training AI,” leaving the true scale of the problem poorly understood.

Although a few tech firms publish rough water usage estimates, most businesses — from e-commerce to aviation — remain unaware of their consumption. “Many aren’t even aware of their water footprint,” Al-Kafrawi said

Even available data likely underestimates reality by a factor of 10 or more. In a world facing increasing water scarcity, AI’s mounting thirst is a silent crisis — one that demands innovation, transparency and smarter systems.

AI’s water usage is complex. It includes both direct consumption, such as cooling servers, and indirect usage tied to the electricity that powers them.

“AI requires significant data for training and evaluation, along with electricity to operate and cooling systems to prevent overheating,” Al-Kafrawi said.

That electricity often comes from water-intensive power sources. Coal-fired and nuclear plants, for instance, consume “millions of gallons of water daily” for steam production and cooling — a hidden environmental cost rarely accounted for in sustainability reports.

Meanwhile, data centers use vast amounts of water to stop their servers from overheating.




An artist's rendition of the data center of KAUST. (KAUST photo)

“Data centers often use water cooling towers to dissipate heat generated by their servers,” said Al-Kafrawi, noting this creates “another significant source of water usage.”

This leads to a vicious cycle: AI requires power, power generates heat, and cooling that heat requires more water.

“The combination of water needed for electricity generation and cooling systems means that AI’s water footprint extends far beyond what might be immediately apparent,” Al-Kafrawi said.

In Saudi Arabia, where water is scarce and AI infrastructure is booming, managing this balance is becoming increasingly urgent.

Abdulelah Al-Shehri, assistant professor of chemical engineering at King Saud University, said that most global data centers rely on potable water — despite its scarcity.

“Water purity directly affects a system’s lifespan,” he said. Indeed, reclaimed water can risk corrosion and microbial contamination, though efforts to safely reuse non-potable sources are gaining traction.




Most global data centers rely on potable water, putting pressure on scarce supply. (AFP photo)

Currently, most data centers in the Kingdom use hybrid cooling systems.

“Saudi data centers rely on high-efficiency mechanical cooling systems combining air-cooled and water-cooled chillers,” said Al-Shehri, referencing Microsoft’s climate-adaptive guidelines and the Saudi Telecom Company’s 2023 Sustainability Report.

Even these efficient systems come with a significant toll. Al-Shehri said that cooling infrastructure for the country’s 300 MW of operational data centers consumes between 2.3 and 2.8 liters of water per kilowatt-hour.

“If we look at current capacity operating at full load year-round, annual water use would approach 6.7 million cubic meters,” he warned — roughly the same amount used by 160,000 Saudi households each year.

And this is just the beginning. Al-Shehri projected that capacity could more than quadruple to 1,300 MW within five years — putting total water use on par with the needs of 700,000 households.

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“These figures only capture direct water use for cooling,” he added. The indirect cost, tied to fossil fuel-based energy production, remains even greater.

Despite the growing demand, Al-Shehri said that there are promising solutions — but they require investment and vision.

“Multiple solutions are emerging to reduce water usage in data center cooling, though investors often hesitate because of the intensive capital investment and costly retrofits.”

Among the most promising ideas is rethinking traditional cooling standards. “Microsoft and Google have piloted these so-called ‘high-temperature data centers,’ which would effectively drive the direct water footprint to zero,” he said.

Raising operating temperatures from 21 degrees Celsius to as high as 35 Celsius allows systems to rely more on air than water.

Other technologies focus on recycling heat. “Absorption chillers can reclaim up to 40 percent of waste heat here and repurpose it for cooling,” said Al-Shehri, pointing to global examples such as Swiss company Infomaniak, which now uses server heat to warm 6,000 homes.




The Swiss company Infomaniak uses absorption chillers to reclaim waste heat, which it then sells to warm 6,000 homes. (X: @infomaniak_de)

There is also the energy mix to consider. “Diversifying energy sources for AI power isn’t a simple swap,” he said. “It hinges on resource availability, proximity to data centers, and the water footprint.”

Research shows that solar and wind are the most water-efficient sources. By contrast, biomass — a widely promoted renewable option — can consume “up to 100 times more water than natural gas,” Al-Shehri said.

Another overlooked cost comes from the treatment and transportation of water itself — a point highlighted by Abdullah Al-Otaibi, Saudi Arabia managing director at global water solutions firm Ecolab.

“Water must be moved, heated, cooled and treated to be fit for business use, which requires energy,” Al-Otaibi told Arab News. He framed water and energy as interconnected levers — what scientists call the “water-energy nexus.”

“Water serves a dual purpose in data centers. It cools infrastructure directly and gets consumed indirectly when generating the electricity that powers high-performance computing,” he said.

Failing to manage this interdependency is risky. “Overlooking water creates risk — particularly in regions like Saudi Arabia, where water is scarce, and digital infrastructure is expanding rapidly.”

DID YOU KNOW?

• AI systems consume large volumes of water through energy generation and data center cooling.  

• High-temperature data centers and heat-recycling systems offer promising ways to reduce direct water use.  

• Experts urge early-stage planning and water-smart designs to reduce risk and future-proof AI growth.

Al-Otaibi said that better data and AI tools can help companies to understand and reduce their water and energy footprints. “With the right data and technologies, businesses can make water use more visible — and more manageable,” he said.

Ecolab’s audits show significant gains are possible. Their tools have helped clients to cut water usage by 44 percent, energy by 22 percent and emissions by 12 percent, all while improving reliability.

“Water efficiency can become a business enabler — supporting uptime and sustainability targets at the same time,” Al-Otaibi said.

With AI infrastructure expanding rapidly across the Gulf, Al-Otaibi urged stakeholders to act now — especially in design stages. “The key is starting early — smart water strategies begin before construction,” he said.

He cited Ecolab’s partnership with global data center operator Digital Realty, where their AI-driven system is expected to reduce water use by up to 15 percent and prevent the withdrawal of 126 million gallons of potable water annually.

For Saudi Arabia, where water is precious and technology ambitions are vast, that kind of efficiency is not just smart — it is essential.


 


Saudi MOH issues health awareness kit for Hajj season in 8 languages 

Updated 3 min 23 sec ago
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Saudi MOH issues health awareness kit for Hajj season in 8 languages 

  • Kit includes tips to avoid heat exhaustion
  • MOH also issues list of health requirements for pilgrims

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Health has released a health awareness kit for the forthcoming Hajj season in eight languages, the Saudi Press Agency reported Friday.

The kit contains comprehensive awareness content in Arabic, English, French, Urdu, Persian, Indonesian, Malay, and Turkish.

"The multilingual approach aims to reach the widest possible audience of pilgrims arriving from various countries around the world," the report said.

Among its key components are guidelines for preventing heat exhaustion, including recommendations on using umbrellas to reduce direct sun exposure and the importance of regularly drinking adequate amounts of water, which contributes to promoting the safety and well-being of pilgrims and ensuring a healthy Hajj season. 

The kit also includes health guidelines, awareness videos, social-media posts, and printable materials designed to promote preventive measures and healthy behaviors. 

The MOH has likewise issued a list of health requirements and recommendations, specifying that all pilgrims must undergo vaccination for meningococcal meningitis.

It likewise requires vaccinations for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), poliomyeletis, yellow fever, for pilgrims, depending on their conditions or which country they are coming from.

The MOH advised that pilgrims, "especially those with chronic diseases, ensure they carry documents that confirm their health condition, along with an adequate supply of the medications they take, which should remain in their original packaging."

It further recommended that pilgrims "update their vaccinations against essential diseases, such as diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, measles, chickenpox, and mumps, in addition to the mandatory vaccines mentioned.

The kit can be downloaded from this link: https://www.moh.gov.sa/HealthAwareness/Pilgrims_Health/Pages/Hajj.aspx


Shoura Council speaker receives speaker of the Arab Parliament

Updated 15 May 2025
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Shoura Council speaker receives speaker of the Arab Parliament

RIYADH: The speaker of the Saudi Shoura Council, Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Asheikh, received his counterpart from the Arab Parliament, Mohammed Ahmed Al-Yamahi, during the 19th session of the Parliamentary Union of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation member states.

During the meeting in Jakarta, the two reviewed the importance of parliamentary diplomacy carried out through active participation in regional and international conferences and forums.

They also discussed strengthening the mechanisms of joint Arab parliamentary action to serve Arab issues, as well as other topics of common interest.


King Salman Arabic academy celebrates graduates

Updated 15 May 2025
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King Salman Arabic academy celebrates graduates

RIYADH: The King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language held a ceremony in Riyadh recently to celebrate the graduation of the second group of non-native speakers from the Abjad Center.

A total of 168 male and female students were honored after fulfilling all the program’s requirements, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Washmi, secretary-general of the academy, said the Abjad Center offers a learning experience designed to equip non-native speakers with strong and effective communication skills.

Al-Washmi added that the program reflects the refinement of the academy’s educational model, reinforcing its role as a leading scientific authority on the Arabic language.

The initiative amplifies the academy’s educational and cultural impact in line with the objectives of the nation’s Human Capability Development Program, he said.


Royal Commission for AlUla, Smithsonian collaboration

Updated 15 May 2025
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Royal Commission for AlUla, Smithsonian collaboration

  • The agreement supports the commission’s vision to transform AlUla into a world-class heritage destination and economic hub

MADINAH: The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art, and the Royal Commission for AlUla have formalized a collaboration agreement to enhance cultural exchange and establish a framework to broaden global understanding of northern Arabia’s ancient civilizations and cultural legacy.

The agreement supports the commission’s vision to transform AlUla into a world-class heritage destination and economic hub. Rooted in mutual dedication to cultural preservation and celebration, the collaboration will unlock new research opportunities and deepen insights into ancient Kingdom artistry, with special focus on the Dadanite civilization.

Experts will conduct joint initiatives in art conservation, historic research, archaeological exploration, and scientific analysis. The institutions will collaborate on exhibitions and artifact exchanges, bringing cultural treasures to international audiences.

Professional development programs covering exhibition curation, research methodologies, narrative development, and museum operations will enhance expertise among staff at AlUla’s museums and the Smithsonian.


Saudi Arabia attends IAACA anti-corruption meeting

Updated 15 May 2025
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Saudi Arabia attends IAACA anti-corruption meeting

RIYADH: The Kingdom, represented by the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority, also known as Nazaha, took part in the first meeting of the Executive Committee of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities, held on Thursday via video conferencing.

Nazaha President Mazin bin Ibrahim Al-Kahmous expressed his thanks to the association’s president and Commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption in Hong Kong, Danny Woo, for organizing the meeting and for the association’s efforts to promote international cooperation in combating corruption.

He added that the Kingdom, represented by Nazaha, has paid significant attention to strengthening international partnerships in the fields of combating corruption and protecting integrity, and these efforts have resulted in a number of tangible achievements.

Al-Kahmous said that the Kingdom believes in the pivotal role played by the association in solidifying the principles of transparency and facilitating the exchange of expertise, knowledge and experiences.