More than 100 UK datacentres plan to burn gas to generate electricity
2 days ago
- #energy-grid
- #climate-targets
- #datacentres
- Over 100 new UK datacentres plan to use gas for electricity generation, some permanently.
- The backlog for National Grid connections has led datacentres to seek alternative power sources.
- Datacentres in the queue for grid connections total 100GW, far exceeding available capacity.
- UK developers and authorities are increasingly considering fossil fuels to support AI ambitions.
- Gas networks have seen over 100 requests from datacentres for connections in two years.
- Datacentre gas requests equate to 15 TWh annually, enough to power London for months.
- AI investments are driving datacentre growth, but reliance on gas complicates climate targets.
- In the US, datacentres for tech giants use gas and emit significant carbon.
- UK datacentre projects are now planning permanent gas reliance, not just temporary fixes.
- Gas usage in datacentres challenges the UK's Clean Power 2030 target.
- Reforms are underway to speed up grid connections for viable projects.
- Critics warn that gas-powered datacentres ignore climate science and grid constraints.