Data Centres Ditch Copper for Light to Slash Power Bills

Data centres worldwide are beginning to replace copper cables with optical technology that uses light to transmit data, aiming to cut power consumption and increase capacity. The shift, reported by BBC News, comes as the industry faces mounting pressure to reduce its energy footprint amid the rapid growth of artificial intelligence and cloud services.

Copper wiring has long been the backbone of data transmission, but it is energy-intensive and generates significant heat, requiring additional cooling. Optical technology, which uses lasers and fibre optics, can transmit more data over longer distances with less power. While exact figures vary by operator, early adopters report potential energy savings of up to 30% in some components. The transition is part of a broader effort to make data centres more sustainable as global demand for computing power continues to soar.

The move to light-based networking could have far-reaching implications for the tech industry, potentially easing strain on power grids and helping companies meet carbon-neutral pledges. However, high upfront costs and the need for specialised infrastructure may slow widespread adoption. Industry analysts suggest that as AI workloads grow, optical solutions will become increasingly essential, prompting further investment and innovation in the sector.