tech
March 1, 2026
Datacentre developers face calls to disclose effect on UK’s net emissions
Campaign groups write to technology secretary amid concerns that sites could double overall electricity demand
TL;DR
- Campaign groups are pressuring datacentre developers to disclose the impact of their projects on UK net greenhouse gas emissions.
- New AI infrastructure could significantly increase national electricity demand, potentially doubling it.
- Concerns exist that this demand threatens efforts to decarbonize the electricity grid.
- Developers are asked to commit to not increasing CO2 emissions or local water scarcity.
- A national policy statement on datacentres is expected to address these concerns.
- The energy regulator Ofgem calculated that proposed datacentre schemes could require 50GW of electricity, exceeding current peak demand.
- Datacentres are crucial for AI but require substantial power for servers and water for cooling.
- Campaigners cite examples of potential emissions from specific datacentre projects.
- Calls are made for a framework to calculate environmental impacts and for developers to fund renewable energy generation.
- Prevention of 'greenwashing' through renewable energy certificates is also demanded.
- The government acknowledges economic growth from datacentres and is exploring renewable power sourcing.
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