UK Launches Inquiry as AI Data Centres Threaten to Double Power Demand
British lawmakers have launched a sweeping parliamentary inquiry into the environmental footprint of data centres, prompted by a stark warning from the energy regulator, Ofgem. The regulator cautioned that the rapid expansion of these facilities, which are critical for powering artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT, risks doubling Great Britain's electricity consumption. This surge threatens to undermine the UK's legally binding net zero targets, placing significant pressure on the national grid. The inquiry, led by the Environmental Audit Committee, will specifically examine the immense energy and water requirements of data centres. This scrutiny reflects growing global concern, as evidenced by a cautionary opinion piece from Manitoba, Canada, which urged the local government to avoid offering subsidies, tax incentives, or preferential access to hydro and water resources for new AI data centre projects. The piece highlights the potential strain on municipal utilities and the environment. The investigation will force ministers to explain how the government plans to reconcile the booming data centre sector with its climate commitments. Campaigners have united to raise concerns, signalling that the unchecked growth of this energy-intensive industry is becoming a major political and environmental flashpoint. The outcome of the probe could shape future policy on subsidies and regulations for data centres across the UK.
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Sources
New datacentres risk doubling Great Britain’s electricity use, regulator says | AI (artificial intelligence) | The Guardian
Ofgem said the work required to ... Datacentres are the central nervous system of AI tools such as chatbots and image generators, playing a vital role in training and operating products such as ChatGPT and Gemini. The rapid rise in energy consumption could also make it more difficult for the UK to meet its ...
The Government of Manitoba should ... construction of AI data centres in our province. That means no subsidies, no tax incentives, no supply commitments from hydro, no emissions offsets, no drinking water from municipalities. ... A quick glance at the news for the upcoming ...
UK parliament's cross-party Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has established a new inquiry on the environmental impacts of data centres in the UK, including on how they may affect the country's net zero targets.
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