The initiative is part of the EU Strategic Roadmap for Digitalization and AI in the Energy Sector and involves the implementation of smart electricity meters that help families adjust their consumption in real time.
The European Commission is preparing new legislation with the aim of encourage families to reduce electricity consumption during peak hours due to the sharp increase in energy demand driven by artificial intelligence, data centers and electrification of the economy.
According to a roadmap released on Wednesday, the Commission plans to propose a law later this year to accelerate the implementation of smart electricity meters with artificial intelligence across the European Union. The devices would allow consumers to monitor and adjust their energy consumption in real time, helping them shift consumption to periods when electricity is cheaper and demand on the grid is lower.
According to the Commission, the initiative aims to give families “a greater control over when they use electricity”, potentially reducing energy bills and relieving pressure on electricity networks.
The proposal is part of the new EU Strategic Roadmap for Digitalization and AI in the Energy Sector, presented alongside a broader package aimed at strengthening Europe’s technological sovereignty.
The move comes amid growing concerns about the energy needs of AI infrastructure. Currently, data centers represent around 2.5% of electricity consumption in the EUwith the European Commission predicting that demand from the sector will more than double over the next four years.
The Commission argues that smarter electricity consumption could enable better use of existing infrastructure, reduce renewable energy waste and support the broader electrification of industry and transport.
Smart metering legislation is one of seven flagship initiatives included in the roadmap. Other measures include a voluntary agreement between data center operators, energy suppliers and public authorities, with the aim of ensuring the sustainable integration of data centers into the European energy system.
The Commission also plans to establish a new structure for the cross-border exchange of energy data. At the same time, Brussels softened some previous proposals aimed at the data center sector. Plans to introduce mandatory energy efficiency standards by 2030 have been archivedwhile a sustainability labeling system for data centers has been delayed until later this year.
To support innovation, EU will allocate 75 million eurosthrough its Horizon Europe research program, to develop more energy-efficient artificial intelligence technologies and strategies.
