Hitachi Vantara advances sustainability amid AI growth
Can artificial intelligence continue to scale without sharply increasing global energy consumption?
A new report suggests that balance is possible, though far from simple.
The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence is reshaping not only how organizations operate, but also the environmental footprint of their technology infrastructure. Against this backdrop, Hitachi Vantara has released its Fiscal Year 2025 Sustainability Report, detailing progress in energy efficiency, governance, and lifecycle management across its solutions.
The data storage and hybrid cloud infrastructure subsidiary of Hitachi Ltd. reported measurable progress across its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) priorities, with a focus on addressing the rising demand from data-intensive workloads and the accelerating adoption of AI.
Global energy pressure.
The report comes amid mounting pressure on the technology sector. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global electricity consumption from data centers could exceed 1,000 terawatt-hours by 2026, roughly equivalent to the annual consumption of a major industrialized country. This increase is driven in part by the deployment of artificial intelligence applications.
As organizations advance their digital transformation, they are also challenged to balance performance, cost, and sustainability. Rising electricity demand translates into higher energy and cooling requirements, making operational efficiency increasingly critical.
Sustainable corporate response.
In response to this challenging environment, Hitachi Vantara is deepening the integration of sustainability into its technology infrastructure, aiming to reduce energy consumption and optimize operations.
Regarding this, Akinobu Shimada, CEO of Hitachi Vantara, stated:
“Sustainability is increasingly linked to operational performance and business outcomes. During Fiscal Year 2025, we focused on helping organizations manage the growth of AI and data, improving efficiency and reducing environmental impact. Our investments in infrastructure innovation, lifecycle design, and governance are delivering tangible results.”
Key report highlights:
1) Infrastructure efficiency and performance: The company introduced VSP One Block High End, a scalable infrastructure solution designed to maintain high reliability while reducing energy and cooling requirements for enterprise and AI workloads. It includes integrated tools for energy monitoring, carbon reduction, and sustainability reporting.
2) Lifecycle sustainability: Lifecycle assessment initiatives were expanded across the VSP One Block, File, and Object portfolios, enabling more accurate measurement of environmental impact and improved visibility into Scope 3 emissions. These efforts are supported by tools such as the Clear Sight dashboard, which provides insights into energy consumption and carbon usage.
3) Circularity and recycled materials: The company increased the use of post-consumer recycled plastics in its storage systems, reaching up to 50% recycled content in selected components. In addition, less than 0.3% of materials were sent to landfill, with most being reused or recycled through optimized recovery programs.
4) Governance and data quality: Emissions tracking processes and internal governance were strengthened, improving data accuracy across Scope 1, Scope 2, and key Scope 3 categories, aligned with science-based reduction targets and evolving ESG standards.
Long-term strategy.
The report also reflects a broader strategic shift within the company, which seeks to embed efficiency, transparency, and lifecycle thinking into the design and operation of its infrastructure.
Beyond its own operations, the company aims to enable organizations and countries to reduce energy consumption, optimize resource use, and transition toward more sustainable operating models, particularly in a context where technological demand continues to rise driven by artificial intelligence.
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