Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether the Government intends to require data centres above a specified capacity to provide a minimum level of demand flexibility as a condition of grid connection.

The Government is considering whether some very large electricity users, including data centres, should provide a defined minimum level of demand flexibility. This could be delivered through measures such as energy storage, low-carbon generation or shifting suitable workloads.

The Government is working with Ofgem, NESO and industry to ensure that any approach supports a secure and efficient electricity system while remaining proportionate and investable.