Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what consideration has been given to the potential merits of requiring new data centres above a threshold capacity to provide on-site dispatchable generation or storage as a condition of connection, as adopted by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities in Ireland.

The Government has considered a range of international approaches, including Ireland’s, as part of its work on integrating growing data centre demand securely and efficiently. Officials are working with industry, NESO and Ofgem to explore a range of options for ensuring large electricity users support a secure and efficient electricity system, including the potential role of on-site storage, low carbon generation and demand-side measures.