AI-Driven Datacentres Strain UK and US Power Supplies
Severity: Medium (Score: 48.9)
Sources: Computerweekly, Theguardian
Summary
Datacentres in the UK and US are consuming 6% of their electricity supply, driven by a 15% increase in energy use over two years due to AI demands. This surge has led to societal backlash as developers face delays in national grid connections. The International Data Center Authority (IDCA) warns that community resistance grows when datacentre consumption exceeds 5% of national electricity grids. In the UK, datacentres' electricity usage is projected to quadruple by 2030, with significant increases in grid connection wait times. Greenpeace UK has raised concerns about the environmental impact of this unchecked growth, calling for transparency and assessments. The UK government previously estimated datacentres used 2.5% of electricity in early 2025. The IDCA's findings align with the International Energy Agency's report of a 17% rise in energy use in 2025, outpacing overall electricity demand growth. Key Points: • Datacentres in the UK and US consume 6% of electricity, driven by AI demands. • Energy consumption from datacentres has increased by 15% globally in the past two years. • Community resistance is growing due to the environmental impact and energy shortages.