UK, England, London: Rapid growth of energy-intensive data centres is putting pressure on west London’s electricity grid, delaying new housing projects, according to a report by the London Assembly Planning and Regeneration Committee.
Data centres, large warehouses filled with powerful computers running digital services including AI and streaming, require vast amounts of electricity to operate. Some new housing developments in Ealing, Hillingdon, and Hounslow were temporarily paused after parts of the grid reached full capacity. Committee chair James Small-Edwards said energy availability had become a “real constraint” on housing and economic growth.
In 2022, the Greater London Authority (GLA) investigated delays in these boroughs, with some projects told they could wait until 2037 for a grid connection. Short-term solutions with the National Grid and regulator Ofgem prevented the worst-case scenario, but several projects were still set back.
The report highlights the need for long-term planning to match growing electricity demand. While data centres accounted for less than 10 % of the UK’s electricity usage last year, consumption is expected to rise by up to 600 % by 2050. A typical data centre uses energy equivalent to around 100,000 homes, and more than half of new centres are planned in and around London.
Andrew Dakers, CEO of West London Business, noted the region is proud to host advanced digital infrastructure but urged faster grid upgrades. Rhodri Williams of the Home Builders Federation said it is important for the government to invest adequately in the power network to support both housing and digital growth.
Source: BBC
