Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has made (a) an estimate of the projected water demand of data centres over the next ten years, and (b) an assessment of the sufficiency of UK water supplies to meet this.

Defra is working with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, the Environment Agency and water companies to improve understanding of data centre water demand. We are building the evidence base on water use, considering its implications through national water resources planning, and supporting efficient, sustainable water use by the sector.