UK Parliament launches inquiry into sustainability of data centres amid AI-driven energy demand surge

Summary

The UK Parliament's Environmental Audit Committee has launched a new inquiry examining the sustainability of data centres, which were designated critical national infrastructure in September 2024. The inquiry will investigate how rising AI adoption could accelerate demand for data centres, their environmental impact (energy and water consumption), and how planning authorities should account for these factors. Electricity consumption from data centres is expected to quadruple by 2030, raising concerns about the UK's net zero goals. The committee will also explore new technologies to minimise environmental impact and lessons from other countries.

Source

bskyUK Parliament launches inquiry into sustainability of data centres amid AI-driven energy demand surgecommittees.parliament.uk