Greens Urge Temporary Ban on New UK Data Centres Amid Energy and Water Concerns
Executive summary
The Green Party is calling for a temporary ban on new data centre approvals in England, citing concerns over their significant water and energy consumption. This proposal has been met with opposition from the government, which warns of lost investment and national security risks.
Reporting based on bbc.com
Why it matters
For those monitoring UK AI infrastructure and the energy system, this debate highlights growing scrutiny over the environmental footprint of digital growth. The call for a moratorium and stricter regulations could influence future planning, investment, and operational requirements for data centres crucial to AI development, potentially impacting grid demand and resource allocation.
Sector impact
Analysis by AI Energy Intelligence UK
The article highlights that data centres are 'energy guzzling', implying a significant contribution to electricity demand. While specific figures for electricity consumption are not provided, the Green Party's concern directly links their operation to overall energy use within the UK's energy system.
The government argues that halting new data centre construction would leave Britain 'dependent on overseas computing for the processing of sensitive health and defence data', suggesting a potential negative impact on national security. It also states that developers 'must plan to use clean power', indicating a broader energy security consideration.
The government warns that a pause on new data centres would 'send investment and good jobs abroad', implying a negative impact on business growth and job creation within the UK's technology sector. This suggests a perceived risk to the UK's competitiveness and its ability to attract and retain digital infrastructure investment.
While not directly stated, the Greens' concern that data centres, now classified as critical infrastructure, 'could get priority over households for water' during shortages implies a potential indirect impact on consumers, particularly during times of resource scarcity. The government, however, stated data centres would not automatically receive priority.
Key statistics
Figures as reported by bbc.com. See original source for context.
Quotations
"We need to slam the brakes on these energy guzzling, water guzzling data centres."
"Essentially, we need basically a moratorium other than local scale data centres for the local community."
"At a time when three-quarters of the country are in drought, it is outrageous that these are being considered critical infrastructure."
"To most people critical infrastructure means hospitals, water, electricity. It doesn't mean Artificial Intelligence."
"It would be a disaster for jobs and national security."
"A pause on building new data centres would simply send investment and good jobs abroad, while leaving Britain dependent on overseas computing for the processing of sensitive health and defence data."
"Put simply: it would be a disaster for jobs and national security."
"That said, this does not mean a blank cheque for Big Tech or that every data centre should be approved."
"Developers must plan to use clean power, use water responsibly, create British jobs and supply chains, and provide investment to the communities in which they are built."
Long-term implications
The debate signals a potential shift towards greater environmental scrutiny and regulation for data centres in the UK, with implications for their siting, design, and operational reporting. Long-term, this could lead to mandatory water and energy consumption reporting, a preference for brownfield sites near renewable energy, and increased community involvement in planning decisions, shaping the sustainable development of AI infrastructure.
Frequently asked questions
Why are the Greens calling for a ban on new data centres?
The Green Party is calling for a temporary ban on new data centre approvals in England due to concerns about the significant amounts of water and energy they consume.
What is the government's stance on a data centre ban?
The government opposes a ban, stating it would lead to the UK losing investment, good jobs, and becoming dependent on overseas computing for sensitive data processing, deeming it a 'disaster for jobs and national security'.
How much water do data centres use in the UK?
The Water Research Centre estimated English data centres use about 1.9 billion litres of drinkable water annually, accounting for around 0.2% of the non-household market. Large centres could consume 1.5 million litres per day.
Are data centres considered critical infrastructure in the UK?
Yes, data centres were classified as critical infrastructure in 2024, providing them with extra government support during incidents. However, the government clarified they would not automatically get priority for water during shortages.
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Original source
This story summarises reporting from bbc.com. Read the original for full context.
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