Data Centres: Energy and Water Consumption

Debate between Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston and Lord Vallance of Balham

Tuesday 8th July 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Vallance of Balham (Lab)]

I have given answers on the data centres. The broader question of AI has been looked at by a number of publications, including recently in the journal Nature, which looked at the overall energy consumption by AI and the overall potential energy reduction by the application of AI across industries. It turned out to be slightly net positive for energy. The noble Viscount is right that energy consumption is a major area to think about. There are new chips that are reducing energy consumption by a thousandfold and new approaches to machine learning that can reduce it. It is high on the list of concerns, and that is why the AI Energy Council has formed a sustainability working group.

[Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston (CB)]

My Lords, in the light of the National Preparedness Commission report and the energy requirement of the AI data centres, is the Minister satisfied that this is not undermining our energy systems’ resilience?

[Lord Vallance of Balham (Lab)]

The latest data suggests that it is about 2.5% of total energy consumption. That will increase, and is being taken into account. It is clearly important that, as we move to more renewable sources of energy and come off reliance on gas, we have an increased supply. It is also why the Government announced that Rolls Royce will be the first partner for small modular reactors, which will be an important part of our energy system going forward.

Artificial Intelligence Opportunities Action Plan

Debate between Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston and Lord Vallance of Balham

Thursday 16th January 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Vallance of Balham (Lab)]

I certainly agree that it is a significant challenge, and I add one other thing. The challenge is not only one of regulation of procurement and making sure that we have the data systems correct; it is one of making sure that we actually deliver, rather than talking about it. Delivery will be key, and we need a proper mechanism to deliver this in the form of a mission with real delivery outcomes. That is why I was pleased to see that we have very tight timelines on all the recommendations in the report. We must make sure that that happens and, as we do so, that we bring in the other necessary controls and actions to propel every part of this, from funding start-ups right the way through to procurement, and, as the noble Lord said, ensuring that we look after the privacy and autonomy of the data.

[Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston (CB)]

My Lords, the Minister acknowledged the importance of the data collected being interoperable and very reliable. With that mind, what discussions has he had with the First Ministers of Wales and Scotland to ensure that data such as NHS data is collected in a fashion that is comparable and therefore usable?

[Lord Vallance of Balham (Lab)]

Clearly, this is a UK-wide issue. I am pleased that Scotland has been at the forefront of data in health for many years and has done an extremely good job of getting that into the right place. As we develop the national data library, these questions of data collection, interoperability, curation—which is incredibly important—and systems to ensure privacy and protection will be discussed widely right across the UK. We need to make sure that everything is interoperable, otherwise we will undo the value that we are creating.

Undersea Cables

Debate between Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston and Lord Vallance of Balham

Tuesday 3rd December 2024 Lords Chamber

[Lord Vallance of Balham (Lab)]

The cables provide the connections that we need for all purposes across telecommunications.

[Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston (CB)]

My Lords, may I tempt the Minister again to stray a little from his brief and to return to naval support? At the moment, RFA “Proteus” is the only ship that protects our undersea cable structure. Is his department making representations to the strategic defence review to ensure that a second vessel is purchased?

[Lord Vallance of Balham (Lab)]

There are two vessels. The “Sovereign” is the repair vessel I referred to, which the cable companies pay for and is on standby 24/7 to repair the cables. “Proteus” has a different purpose; it is an MoD vessel that can take account of all underwater structures. It is not a DSIT vessel but an MoD vessel with broad responsibilities.