Ubuntu 24.04 LTS is set to incorporate new power management notifications to comply with recent EU regulations regarding energy consumption. As part of this initiative, the GNOME Control Center will issue a warning whenever users turn off the automatic suspend feature. The notification reads:
"Disabling automatic suspend will result in higher power consumption. It is recommended to keep automatic suspend enabled."
This update mirrors similar modifications made in Ubuntu 25.04, which debuted with GNOME 48. The European Union directive 2023/826 necessitates that users are alerted about increased energy usage when they adjust certain power settings.
The updates are particularly relevant for laptops pre-installed with Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, as they help maintain the system in compliance with EU ecodesign regulations, focusing on minimizing energy waste. The patches are designed to be unobtrusive; users who do not disable the automatic suspend option will not see the warning messages.
Moreover, while the reminders may seem trivial, they serve a dual purpose—informing users about the potential increase in power consumption and aiding the EU’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions. The adaptation also aligns with a broader understanding that users may not always be aware of the financial and environmental implications of their power management settings.
The upcoming translation updates will ensure that users operating in non-English languages will receive the warnings appropriately, though there may be a brief period where the text appears in English.