MAGA candidate Michelle Mace has urged the UK government to impose a moratorium on new datacentre development, warning that the growth of bit barns could exacerbate the country's power bill crisis. Speaking at a recent event, Mace, who styles herself as the 'Trump in high heels', claimed that datacentres are a major driver of rising energy costs.
Mace cited a report by the US-based Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), which found that datacentres are responsible for around 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions. She argued that the UK should follow the example of Norway and other countries that have implemented regulations to limit the growth of datacentres.
The NRDC report suggests that datacentres could send power bills soaring if left unchecked. Mace stated that the UK government must act to prevent this from happening, calling for a moratorium on new datacentre development until the country's energy crisis is resolved.
The UK government has been under pressure to address the country's energy crisis, with rising energy costs and supply chain disruptions affecting households and businesses. A spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero stated that the government is 'committed to reducing energy costs and promoting sustainable energy solutions', but stopped short of committing to a moratorium on datacentre development.
While Mace's call for a moratorium may be seen as radical, it is clear that the growth of datacentres is a major challenge for the UK's energy sector. As the country looks to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and meet its net-zero targets, finding a balance between energy demand and supply will be crucial.
Meanwhile, the UK's Foreign Office has issued no specific advice to travellers in relation to datacentre development in the UK. However, the organisation has encouraged Britons to be aware of the potential risks associated with energy price volatility when planning their trips abroad.