Open letter warns unchecked AI data centre growth threatens UK climate goals
By
@globalactplan
Day-old at best. Try it dunked in something stronger.
Summary
An open letter to UK government ministers Ed Miliband and Liz Kendall warns that unchecked AI data centre growth is threatening climate action, water security, and housing. It highlights that 50 GW of data centres have requested grid connections—5 GW more than UK peak winter electricity demand and 44 GW above government estimates—arguing this expansion will outpace renewable energy growth and increase fossil fuel use and emissions.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledUn-checked AI data centre growth is jeopardising climate action, water security and house-building.
The absence of coordinated Government data centre policy has led to 50 GW of data centres requesting grid connections – 5GW more than UK peak winter electricity demand and 44 GW more than Government estimates of future demand.
This scale of data centre construction will outstrip renewables growth, markedly increase fossil fuel consumption and emissions.
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