Resistance to datacentre expansion is growing across the world, with communities and campaigners raising concerns about their impact on energy supplies and the climate. This backlash comes as big tech companies lobby for more facilities, which many governments consider essential for capitalising on AI.
In the UK, both the Scottish National Party and the Greens have backed a moratorium on new datacentre developments. However, Andy Burnham's government recently rejected a similar proposal from the Green party, stating it would "send investment and good jobs abroad."
Campaigners argue that datacentres consume significant resources and contribute to the climate crisis. The IMF estimates that by 2030, datacentres could consume more energy than all but the world's three largest state emitters. Concerns also exist regarding water usage, noise, and heat emissions.
In Tower Hamlets, east London, local residents and the council opposed plans for a new datacentre, but Housing Secretary Angela Rayner overruled the council's decision. Residents expressed frustration, with one stating, "To me, it feels like many of these are springing up in places where low-income, ethnic minority communities just don’t have the power to resist these changes."
Globally, the number of "hyperscale" datacentres has almost tripled since 2018. The UK, which had 52 datacentres in 2000, now has an estimated 520, with around 48 being "hyperscale." Transparency is a recurring issue, as the exact total number of datacentres is unknown even to governments, and some local authorities in the US have signed non-disclosure agreements with tech companies.