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Energy: Data Centres

Asked by James McMurdockIndependentDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled Answered 8 July 2026UIN 14737

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 19 June 2026 to Question 8970, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of higher than expected electricity demand from AI-capable data centres on security of electricity supply.

Answered by Michael Shanks

The Government is committed to ensuring electricity networks can meet rising electricity demand, including from data centres, by deploying new renewable and low-carbon generation in line with the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan. Alongside this, government will ensure that supply continuously meets demand through the Capacity Market.

Government is also working with Ofgem, NESO and industry to explore how consumer-led flexibility can help to maintain a secure and efficient system as electricity demand increases.

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