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Artificial Intelligence: Energy

Asked by Sir Mark HendrickLabour (Co-op)Department for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled Answered 20 April 2026UIN 124476

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the impact of rising energy prices on the AI sector in the United Kingdom.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan

We are focused on continuing to create the right conditions for investment in the UK’s AI and data centre infrastructure.

Through the AI Energy Council, we are already bringing together energy system bodies and leading technology companies, including NESO, EDF, Microsoft and Google, to address the energy implications of AI growth and ensure the system is ready to support future demand.

Alongside this, the Government is bringing forward a consultation on discounting data centres' energy costs for eligible projects in areas with excess electricity supply, including Scotland, Cumbria and the North East.

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