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Data Centres

Asked by Neil O'BrienConservativeDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled Answered 22 May 2026UIN 305

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate his Department has made of the expected growth in datacentre capacity, measured in MW, from today to 2030.

Answered by Michael Shanks

Growth in data centre electricity demand is inherently uncertain, reflecting factors such as phased build out, utilisation rates, efficiency improvements, and the extent to which activity may displace or offset demand elsewhere in the economy.

DESNZ will continue to test a range of data centre growth trajectories and monitor emerging demand to inform where further mitigation or system adjustments may be required, keeping our demand assumptions under regular review in collaboration with the CCC and the National Energy System Operator.

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