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Environment
May 13, 2026
Analyzed by GPT OSS 120B

Datacentres Now Consume 6% of Electricity in the UK and US, Sparking Community Backlash

AI Summary
Research by the International Data Center Association shows datacentres now use about 6% of electricity in both the UK and the US, a rise that is fueling community resistance and prompting calls for greater transparency. The report also highlights inefficiencies, security concerns, and the looming need for stricter regulation.

New research from the International Data Center Association (IDCA) reveals that datacentres are now responsible for roughly 6% of electricity consumption in the United Kingdom and the United States, intensifying public and political scrutiny over the sector’s rapid energy growth.

Datacentre Power Demand Hits 6% of UK and US Grids

The study notes a 15% worldwide increase in datacentre electricity use over the past two years, driven by the surge in AI workloads and internet traffic. Annual global investment in new facilities is approaching $1tn (£740bn), equivalent to nearly 1% of the global economy. In the UK, datacentre electricity share has risen to 5.9%, while the US sits at 6%, far above the global average of 2%. Smaller nations such as Singapore and Lithuania face even higher pressures, with datacentres consuming 19% and 11% of their national grids respectively.

Financial and Energy Metrics Highlight Rapid Growth

  • Global investment: ~$1tn in 2025
  • UK grid‑connection queue: grew 460% in H1 2025
  • US “zombie” services: account for 13% of datacentre load, equating to over 3 GW of wasted power
  • Projected UK demand: could quadruple by 2030

These figures align with the International Energy Agency’s estimate that global energy use by datacentres rose 17% in 2025, outpacing overall electricity demand growth of 3%.

Community Pushback and Policy Implications Across Nations

The IDCA warns that once a country’s datacentre footprint reaches the 5%‑6% threshold, “significant community and political pushback” becomes inevitable. In the UK, activists and groups such as Greenpeace UK have warned of an “unchecked AI boom” leading to higher energy bills, water‑stress, and renewed reliance on fossil fuels. The report calls for:

  • Greater transparency from tech firms on future datacentre plans
  • Mandatory environmental impact assessments
  • A ban on new polluting power plants dedicated to AI workloads

Additionally, the study highlights emerging security concerns, noting that recent attacks on datacentres in the Middle East have underscored the need for integrated cyber‑physical protection strategies.

Outlook: Regulation, Transparency, and Security Challenges Ahead

Looking forward, the IDCA predicts that pressure will mount for:

  • Stricter national grid connection policies to curb the 460% surge in pending requests
  • Industry‑wide standards to eliminate “zombie” services and improve energy efficiency
  • Coordinated security frameworks that address both cyber threats and physical vulnerabilities

If policymakers act swiftly, the sector could mitigate its environmental footprint while sustaining the growth of AI and cloud services. Failure to do so may trigger broader societal resistance and accelerate regulatory clampdowns.