Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that Ofgem has said that the volume of grid connection applications from data centres “exceeds even the most ambitious demand forecasts” and will put at risk meeting carbon budgets.

As Ofgem states in its recent publication, Government is working closely with the regulator, NESO, and network companies, to develop and deliver a coordinated package of reforms to the grid connection process for demand projects.

This includes measures described in the November 2025 ‘Delivering AI Growth Zones’ announcement to manage speculative data centre demand and secure capacity for viable data centre connections while ensuring delivery of a clean and secure energy system.