Written Question·Department for Energy Security and Net Zero·UIN 14727

Energy: Data Centres

Tabled: 30 June 2026

Answered: 8 July 2026

Question

James McMurdock

Independent — South Basildon and East Thurrock

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to Answer of 19 June 2026 to Question 8970, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of AI-capable data centres on regional electricity network capacity.

Answer

Michael Shanks

Data centres in the right locations can utilise surplus or constrained renewable generation, making more efficient use of the electricity system and reducing network balancing costs due to easing of network constraints. Government is aware of the high vol...

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