Datacentre developers are facing mounting pressure to demonstrate that new projects will not increase net greenhouse gas emissions, amid concerns that a surge in AI infrastructure could dramatically raise electricity demand.
Campaign groups including Foxglove and Friends of the Earth have written to technology secretary Liz Kendall calling for stricter requirements in the forthcoming National Policy Statement on datacentres.
They argue developers should prove their schemes will not drive up overall CO₂ emissions or worsen local water scarcity.
Ofgem has warned that around 140 proposed datacentre projects could require up to 50GW of electricity, exceeding Great Britain’s current peak demand of 45GW.
Individual sites planned for Lincolnshire and Northumberland are expected to require 1GW each, equivalent to the output of a nuclear power station.
Campaigners say without firm safeguards, the rapid expansion of AI-driven infrastructure risks generating significant climate emissions, potentially undermining the UK’s net zero target for 2050. MPs are now asking about this topic in parliament.
The government said datacentres support economic growth and that its AI Energy Council is exploring how to attract new renewable generation to power the industry.
Campaigners, however, are calling for clearer carbon accounting rules and stronger measures to prevent greenwashing.
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