VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Data Centres: Electricity

Asked by Iqbal MohamedIndependentDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled Answered 26 March 2026UIN 119691

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the electricity demand of proposed AI datacentre developments.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan

The Government recognises that AI-driven compute, including largescale data centres, will increase electricity demand over the coming years. DSIT works closely with DESNZ and NESO to assess how projected AI-related demand is reflected in long-term energy system planning.

The AI Energy Council, co-chaired by Secretaries of State for DSIT and DESNZ, brings together regulators, energy companies and tech firms to address the growing energy demands of AI in a sustainable and scalable way.

The Council is also exploring how clean and low carbon energy solutions - including renewables and emerging technologies such as small modular reactors - could support future AI infrastructure, consistent with the Government’s clean power ambitions.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim