Environment & Climate

Gas-powered data centres could threaten UK 2050 net zero target, BBC reports

BBC News reports four planned hyperscale data centres are considering gas-fired power while grid connections face long waits.

Published Nov 3, 2026 · 07:47 UTC1 reports

The short version

BBC News reports that the UK's 2050 net zero ambition could be undermined by its new deal on AI data centres.[BBC News]
BBC File on 4 Investigates found four planned hyperscale data centres are already considering gas-fired power.[BBC News]
Ofgem says data centre developers are seeking grid connections totalling 72 gigawatts, against 45 gigawatts of peak demand last year.[BBC News]
Some developers may wait up to 10 years for grid upgrades, and at Acre Slough gas engines could fill the gap.[BBC News]

BBC File on 4 Investigates found four planned hyperscale data centres, three of them in southern England, are already considering gas-fired power.[BBC News]
According to BBC File on 4 Investigates, the four planned sites would together create more CO2 than Manchester, Liverpool and Southampton combined.[BBC News]
Ofgem says data centre developers are seeking grid connections totalling 72 gigawatts.[BBC News]
Peak electricity demand across the whole country last year was 45 gigawatts, according to Ofgem.[BBC News]
At Acre Slough, developers say they could use gas engines with up to 49.5 megawatts of capacity while waiting at least 10 years for a National Grid connection.[BBC News]
BBC research says the UK government's net zero ambition for 2050 could be undermined by its new deal on AI data centres.[BBC News]

Whether the planned gas generation would run continuously, and therefore how much CO2 it would emit, is not established.[BBC News]
Gas use at the sites is described as under consideration, and it is not confirmed that developers will proceed.[BBC News]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.