The UK government says it will work with power companies to make up to 500MW of electricity available for new data center developments in each of its planned AI growth zones. They aim to create areas with favorable conditions for building AI infrastructure, with streamlined planning rules to enable developments to be approved quickly, and a sufficient supply of power.
The announcement also said priority will be given to “sites with large existing power connections (with a current capacity of 500+ MW),” suggesting ministers are more keen to lean on existing capacity than finding new sources of energy to boost Britain’s under-pressure grid. It added that areas with “a clear vision of how energy capacity can be increased” will also be at the front of the queue.
Technology secretary Peter Kyle said the AI growth zones will “deliver untold opportunities – sparking new jobs, fresh investment, and ensuring every corner of the country has a real stake in our AI-powered future. We’re leaving no stone unturned in how we can harness expertise from all over the UK to deliver new opportunities, fresh growth, better public services, and cement our position as an AI pioneer.”
