Summary - Energy Needs of Data Centres UK. Online registration by Cvent

The UK is experiencing an unprecedented surge in data centre development, driven by the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and digitalisation. This expansion is placing significant demands on the country’s electricity infrastructure. Forecasts suggest that data centre power demand could rise six-fold over the next decade, raising concerns about the grid capacity availability, connection timelines, and the long-term sustainability of electricity supply. Energy strategy is no longer a technical detail; it has become a central pillar of data centre design. Access to reliable power has now become a defining factor for the viability and profitability of new data centres.

While this growth presents serious challenges, it also offers an opportunity to redefine how the UK delivers power to its digital infrastructure. Recognising the urgency, the government has proposed AI Growth Zones – dedicated regional hubs with streamlined planning processes and access to up to 500MW of grid-connected capacity per zone. These are envisioned as accelerators for AI development and data centre deployment. However, realising their full potential will require more than regulatory reform; it demands coordinated action between planners, developers, utilities, and policymakers.

At the same time, the UK’s sustainability regulations and reporting requirements are raising the bar for energy sourcing. Operators must now consider how to integrate cleaner, more resilient power options. With grid constraints tightening and connection queues growing, on-site and hybrid energy solutions are emerging as viable options for business continuity and cost control.

To address these challenges and explore innovative pathways forward, Global Transmission Report is pleased to announce the launch of its conference, “Energy Needs of Data Centres UK", taking place on November 27, 2025 at Novotel London West.

This high-impact, one-day event will convene key stakeholders from across the ecosystem—data centre operators, utilities, government, and energy innovators—for an engaged discussion on powering the next generation of UK data centres. The conference will cover key topics such as grid interconnection, planning reforms, energy sourcing strategies, and the integration of clean technologies.

With demand increasingly rapidly and infrastructure under strain, this event offers an opportunity to participate in the conversation about how to build a resilient, scalable, and sustainable energy future for the UK’s digital backbone.