STORY
The Government has rejected a Green Party proposal to pause the construction of most large artificial intelligence data centres, warning that the move would damage investment, employment and national security. Green Party leader Zack Polanski called for a moratorium on major developments, arguing that data centres consume substantial quantities of energy and water while placing pressure on communities and the environment.
Polanski criticised the decision to classify data centres as critical national infrastructure, saying the Government was putting the interests of technology companies ahead of water security and its climate commitments. Electricity consumption by data centres is currently estimated at around 2.5 per cent of the UK’s supply, with forecasts suggesting that demand could increase fourfold by 2030.
The Government said stopping construction would send investment and jobs overseas while leaving Britain dependent on other countries to process sensitive health and defence information. A spokesperson added that critical infrastructure status does not give data centres priority access to water or electricity and said developers would be expected to use water responsibly, prioritise clean energy and invest in local communities.