Energy: Data Centres
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to Answer of 19 June 2026 to Question 8970, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of AI-capable data centres on regional electricity network capacity.
Answered by Michael Shanks
Data centres in the right locations can utilise surplus or constrained renewable generation, making more efficient use of the electricity system and reducing network balancing costs due to easing of network constraints.
Government is aware of the high volume of data centres currently in the queue for grid connections and the Department recently consulted on measures to manage speculative data centre applications, incentivise flexible operation in times of system stress and align data centre connections to regional infrastructure targets, to help secure capacity for vital data centre growth in a way that balances energy security and manages system costs.
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