The UK government's ambition to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 could be undermined by new deals on AI data centres, according to BBC research. Four planned "hyperscale" data centres, including three in the south of England, are considering using gas-fired power to meet their electricity needs.
Chancellor John Healey announced in Wednesday's Budget speech that data centres would be permitted to build onsite power generation while awaiting a grid connection. If continuously running at full capacity, these four data centres could require 1.3 gigawatts of power and produce an estimated 4.1 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually, potentially exceeding the combined emissions of Manchester, Liverpool, and Southampton.
Ofgem, the energy market regulator, states that data centre developers are seeking connections totalling 72 gigawatts, significantly more than the country's peak electricity demand of 45 gigawatts last year. Some developers have been informed they could face waits of up to 10 years for grid upgrades.
Labour MP Toby Perkins, who chairs the Environmental Audit Select Committee, stated that a substantial increase in natural gas use "can't be the future." The government maintains that data centres are "essential to Britain's economy" and that its new Data Centre Covenant sets expectations for developers to contribute to energy system costs and local communities.