Surging power needs from artificial intelligence facilities are driving plans for 181 gigawatts of on-site gas-fired capacity, primarily focused within the United States. Global electricity demand from these computing sites is expected to nearly quadruple by 2035, reaching 2,354 terawatt-hours. Although developers argue that on-site fossil generation provides an interim fix during grid connection delays, critics warn it will entrench emissions. In the UK, Chancellor John Healey has introduced measures permitting temporary fossil plants under a datacentre covenant, with several regional projects already pursuing gas power.
Key points
Surging computational requirements could push AI datacentre power usage to 7% of total gl…: Surging computational requirements could push AI datacentre power usage to 7% of total global electricity demand by 2035.
Research indicates that linking datacentres directly to national grids supported by clean…: Research indicates that linking datacentres directly to national grids supported by cleaner power remains a far more sustainable approach than independent gas plants.
Recent policy concessions allow UK datacentres to operate temporary on-site fossil fuel g…: Recent policy concessions allow UK datacentres to operate temporary on-site fossil fuel generators through an approved datacentre covenant.
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Developers of AI datacentres plan to build on-site climate-destroying gas power stations on a huge scale to meet their energy demands, research reveals.
Datacentres planned across the US, the UK and mainland Europe have proposals to build fossil fuel plants on-site to create 181GW of gas-fired capacity because of delays to connect to national grids, according to the findings. This is almost four times the total peak electricity demand of Great Britain.
The research by BloombergNEF says this “speed to power” will – if the planned rollout happens – emit about 345m metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent a year in the US, where 90% of on-site gas-fired power stations are planned. This is equivalent to annual greenhouse gas emissions from about 72.8m fossil fuel cars.
The report was published on Wednesday as global leaders gathered in Turkey for the 31st UN climate summit, where increasing electrification – ideally from clean sources – is a central part of discussions. However, a number of key European leaders, including from France and Germany, will not be at Cop31, instead heading to Dublin…
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