"Data centres are vast complexes that are used by IT firms to locate computer servers and storage but are staggeringly energy intensive, in part use to the growth of artificial intelligence. According to the report, from the London Assembly's planning committee, the energy usage of a typical AI data centre is similar to that needed to power 100,000 homes. In parts of west London, capacity has been stretched to its limits."
"It said: The queue to get a grid connection was growing and growing, with some developments being told they would have to wait until 2037 to get connected almost 15 years into the future. Last year, the UK's total electricity demand was 319 TWh (terawatt hours), with data centres accounting for fewer than 10 TWh. But between 2025-2050, data centre electricity demand is expected to rise by up to 600 per cent, to 30-71 TWh."
Data centres use large amounts of electricity, driven in part by the growth of artificial intelligence, with a typical AI data centre consuming energy comparable to powering 100,000 homes. West London areas including Hillingdon, Hounslow and Ealing reached full grid capacity from 2022, at times halting new housing developments. Short-term fixes enabled 21,643 homes to connect by early 2025, including over 12,000 where the Greater London Authority helped unblock supply problems. Around 29 data centres have been built or planned across several boroughs and the M4 corridor, pushing parts of the network toward capacity limits. Projections show data centre demand could rise by up to 600% to 30–71 TWh between 2025 and 2050, increasing pressure on planning for digital infrastructure and new homes.
Read at www.standard.co.uk
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