tech
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.