Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the additional electricity needed to power data centres by 2035; and how they intend that electricity to be generated.

Data centre demand growth remains uncertain, reflecting factors including new connections, utilisation, efficiency improvements and wider AI adoption. The Department is working with NESO, Ofgem and industry to monitor developments and assess plausible demand scenarios and their implications for the electricity system.

Government is rapidly expanding renewable generation, providing access to increasingly clean power through the electricity network. Economy-wide demand projections will inform decisions on the generation, network and flexibility infrastructure needed to maintain a secure, affordable and decarbonised electricity system. In realising AI’s potential, the Government will also take seriously the potential risks identified by experts of its development.