Demand for connections to the UK’s already strained electricity grid is so intense that some data centre developers say upgrades could take up to a decade. As a result, at least four data centres are considering gas-fired power stations to generate their own electricity, a move that could require 1.3 gigawatts of power and produce an estimated 4.1 million tons of carbon emissions each year.
Nathan McWhinney, head of market intelligence and monitoring at Ofgem, said: “In many places the electricity grid is being maxed out. I think it’s easy to forget the scale of demand for these connections. These projects can be as large as cities.”
New rules for data centre development
In last week’s Budget, the Chancellor announced the UK Data Center Code. The code requires operators to invest in local communities, create jobs and protect water supplies in exchange for preferential grid connections.
However, the Chancellor also said developers would be allowed to generate electricity on site when a grid connection is unavailable.
Gas-fired power under consideration
BBC File on 4 Investigates has found that four data centres are already considering using gas-fired power stations to meet their energy needs.
According to calculations by BBC File on 4 Investigates, operating all four facilities at full capacity could require 1.3 gigawatts of electricity and generate an estimated 4.1 million tons of carbon emissions annually. That would be more emissions than those produced by the cities of Manchester, Liverpool and Southampton combined.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk