UK data centre activity remains a statistical black hole, ONS confirms
Executive summary
The UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) acknowledges significant challenges in quantifying data centre activity, including investment and output. This lack of granular data stems from issues with industrial classification and how companies are reported, making it difficult to accurately assess their economic and energy impact.
Reporting based on ft.com
Why it matters
For AI Energy Intelligence UK readers, this lack of clear data on UK data centres is critical. Without accurate statistics on data centre investment and operation, it's challenging to project future energy demand from AI infrastructure, understand grid strain, or formulate effective energy policy. This ambiguity hinders strategic planning for energy supply and infrastructure development to support the burgeoning AI sector.
Sector impact
Analysis by AI Energy Intelligence UK
The article reports that data centres 'have assumed such a major position in the current economic, political and environmental discourse,' implying a significant, though unquantified, impact on electricity demand. The inability of the ONS to 'separately identify either the investment in or output of data centres' means that the exact electricity demand attributable to these facilities in the UK is difficult to measure and project.
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The inability to clearly track data centre investment and output means that economists rely on proxy measures like computer part imports. This lack of direct data makes it difficult for businesses and policymakers to accurately assess the growth and economic contribution of the UK's data centre sector, potentially affecting investment decisions and policy support.
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Quotations
"we are currently unable to separately identify either the investment in or output of data centres"
"The earliest planned use is in the Blue Book 2031 (UK National Accounts). However, this will not improve the visibility of data centres within the National Accounts, as their classification will still depend on the dominant activity of the reporting unit."
"Provision of cloud infrastructure and platforms, including AI facilities and neocloud"
Long-term implications
The ONS states that a new data-centre-specific Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code (63101, including 'AI facilities') won't improve visibility in National Accounts until at least Blue Book 2031, and even then, its effectiveness is uncertain due to the diverse activities of data centre operating companies. This suggests a prolonged period of statistical ambiguity regarding UK data centre growth and its associated energy requirements, complicating long-term planning for energy infrastructure and AI development.
Frequently asked questions
Why is UK data centre data hard to obtain?
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) states that data centres lack a unique standard industrial classification (SIC), and many companies operating data centres also engage in other activities, making it difficult to isolate their data centre operations statistically.
When will data on UK data centres improve?
The ONS indicates that a new data-centre-specific SIC code (63101) might be used in the Blue Book 2031 (UK National Accounts), but even then, it may not significantly improve visibility due to how reporting units are classified based on their dominant activity.
What is the new SIC code for data centres?
The new SIC code is 63101, which captures 'Provision of cloud infrastructure and platforms, including AI facilities and neocloud'.
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Original source
This story summarises reporting from ft.com. Read the original for full context.
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