United Kingdom: Preparation for potential blackouts begins as UK holds talks regarding major data centers
Oct 24, 2022 | Posted by MadalineDunn
The UK government has reportedly held discussions with data center operators about what to do in a worst-case scenario this winter, as the country faces potential power shortages. The government is now considering rationing data centers' access to diesel fuel for backup generators and classifying them as essential national infrastructure.
Although the Electricity System Operator (ESO) expects there will be enough power supply, a worst-case scenario would see load-shedding schemes of three hours, where customers would be without power. There are between 400 and 600 commercial data centers in Britain, accounting for approximately 2.5% of the country's electricity demand, and while many of them have their own diesel generators capable of powering operations during this time, if load shedding lasted beyond this period, some data centers may not have enough duel to keep the generator running until grid supply return.
According to Matthew Evans, markets director at technology industry group techUK, who spoke with Bloomberg, to prepare for this eventuality, members of techUK have taken "all necessary precautions" for shortages by filling up their diesel reserves. Evans added: "But we need to see government take necessary measures to ensure a continuous supply in the unlikely event of prolonged blackouts."
Operators have also asked for permission from the Environment Agency to start up their generators 15 minutes before an expected blackout begins, to enable a safer phasing to the different power supply.
Although the Electricity System Operator (ESO) expects there will be enough power supply, a worst-case scenario would see load-shedding schemes of three hours, where customers would be without power. There are between 400 and 600 commercial data centers in Britain, accounting for approximately 2.5% of the country's electricity demand, and while many of them have their own diesel generators capable of powering operations during this time, if load shedding lasted beyond this period, some data centers may not have enough duel to keep the generator running until grid supply return.
According to Matthew Evans, markets director at technology industry group techUK, who spoke with Bloomberg, to prepare for this eventuality, members of techUK have taken "all necessary precautions" for shortages by filling up their diesel reserves. Evans added: "But we need to see government take necessary measures to ensure a continuous supply in the unlikely event of prolonged blackouts."
Operators have also asked for permission from the Environment Agency to start up their generators 15 minutes before an expected blackout begins, to enable a safer phasing to the different power supply.
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