A new report has warned that the UK’s ambitions to become a global artificial intelligence leader could be undermined unless sustainable water and energy policies are prioritised for data centres.
The report from Grundfos, highlights growing concerns over the environmental impact of expanding digital infrastructure.
It warns that poor planning around water efficiency and energy use could increase pressure on already stretched resources while slowing progress towards national sustainability goals.
Data centres are expected to play a central role in supporting AI growth and digital services, but they also require significant amounts of electricity and water for cooling systems.
With the UK already facing a projected daily water shortfall of five billion litres, the report argues that resource efficiency must become central to future policy decisions.
Grundfos is calling for stronger links between water and energy governance, alongside mandatory reporting standards for water and power efficiency.
The company also wants greater investment in heat recovery systems, water reuse infrastructure and high-efficiency cooling technologies to reduce emissions and lower pressure on public resources.
The report states that combining sustainable infrastructure with clear regulation could help the UK expand AI capabilities while protecting natural resources and reducing carbon emissions.
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